Hamas Rejects Trump’s Gaza Proposal: “Gaza Is Not for Sale”

The official emphasized that allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza is the bare minimum condition for any ceasefire negotiations with Israel.

Bassem Naeem, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, said in a statement: “Gaza is an inseparable part of Palestinian land and not real estate up for sale on the open market.”

Trump had said Thursday, “I have very good ideas for Gaza. I want to make it a freedom zone,” adding from Qatar, “I’d be proud if the U.S. took Gaza and turned it into a freedom zone.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also implicitly criticized the Israeli government for its tight humanitarian blockade on the devastated strip, which has pushed Gaza deeper into famine.

Israel’s mass killings have worsened the humanitarian and health crisis. The World Health Organization repeatedly warned that its medical supplies in Gaza are nearly exhausted, threatening to halt essential services. The World Food Programme added that families in Gaza are starving.

Rubio, speaking from Antalya, Turkey, expressed concern over the dire situation in Gaza. He stated that the U.S. has not delivered any humanitarian aid to Gaza since March 2, adding, “I informed Netanyahu by phone that the United States is worried about Gaza’s humanitarian situation.” He noted that criticism has emerged regarding the administration’s proposed aid plan and that Washington is open to alternatives.

Rubio declined to comment on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that talks are still underway in Doha, amid mounting U.S. pressure on all parties.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, condemned the Israeli bombardment of Gaza while negotiations are being held in Doha, calling it a negative signal that obstructs mediation efforts.

Hamas warned that Israel’s failure to honor agreements—particularly regarding the entry of humanitarian aid—would harm ongoing efforts to finalize a prisoner swap deal.

Israeli Forces Assassinate Five Fighters in Tubas

Five Palestinian youths were killed Thursday afternoon after Israeli forces besieged a house in the town of Tammun, south of Tubas. The house was shelled with Energa grenades. The Israeli military then seized and desecrated the bodies.

The Islamic Jihad’s military wing, Al-Quds Brigades, mourned the five martyrs.

Shortly after a separate operation that killed an Israeli settler near the town of Bruqin in Salfit, settlers launched scattered attacks on Palestinians in various West Bank villages and towns. In one such assault in the village of Al-Mughayir (northeast of Ramallah), a young man was shot, and a Palestinian woman was arrested while resisting the attack.

Far-right settler groups called for revenge attacks against Palestinians, road closures, and rock-throwing at several intersections—Yitzhar Junction, Kochav HaShachar Junction, Bruqin Junction, Tapuah Junction, and Abraham Hasno Roundabout.

U.S. Ambassador Takes Shelter in Israel

Millions of Israelis took cover in bomb shelters following sirens triggered by a ballistic missile launched from Yemen. The Israeli Home Front Command confirmed alarms sounded in central Israel, Greater Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem. Ben Gurion Airport was shut down.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, “Every missile is made in Iran, which hates Israel and will never stop hating the United States,” as reported by Al Jazeera. He added, “We just emerged from the shelter after sirens were triggered by a Houthi ballistic missile launch.”