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Hamas Source: Strong Response if Trump Implements his Plan

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, making their way back to their homes in northern Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, making their way back to their homes in northern Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo
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Hamas Source: Strong Response if Trump Implements his Plan

FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, making their way back to their homes in northern Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows Palestinians, who were displaced to the south at Israel's order during the war, making their way back to their homes in northern Gaza, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, January 27, 2025. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem/File Photo

A Hamas source in Gaza responded to US President Donald Trump's statement about controlling the Gaza Strip and displacing its residents, saying the group would take strong action if Trump or Israel’s far-right government pursued such a plan.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat under the conditions of anonymity, the source warned that the plan’s consequences would be severe and affect the entire region.

“No one can predict what might happen,” the source said.

Trump’s repeated comments about moving Gaza’s residents to Egypt or Jordan and threatening to take control of Gaza have raised questions about the ability of Palestinians and their groups to resist, given the dire situation in the area.

At a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump said the US is prepared to take control of Gaza and handle the dismantling of dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons.

Trump’s remarks drew strong condemnation from the Palestinian Authority and factions, including Hamas, which described the US president’s plans as “hostile” to the Palestinian people and their cause, warning that they would not contribute to regional stability.

Hamas called on the US administration to reverse its position.

A source close to Hamas’ leadership in Gaza told Asharq Al-Awsat that while the group has “become accustomed” to such statements, it “takes them seriously” because they are made publicly and broadcast to the world.

The source added that what stands out about these remarks is their widespread rejection by the Arab, Islamic, and even international communities.

Hamas believes that implementing Trump’s plan would not be easy, and it would not unfold in the way Trump or others suggest, the source explained.

The source reminded that plans to displace Palestinians have existed for decades, but no one has managed to carry them out, even under heavy conflict. He added that just as Israel failed during its war in Gaza, the far-right Israeli government, backed by Trump’s administration or any other force, would not succeed.

The source also emphasized Hamas’ statement, saying any such plans would be seen as a new occupation and met with resistance and force.

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Syria Is at a Crossroads: It Can Return to Violence or Transition to Peace, Says UN Envoy 

A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)
A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Syria Is at a Crossroads: It Can Return to Violence or Transition to Peace, Says UN Envoy 

A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)
A member of Syria's security forces mans a gun in the back of a truck during the funeral of three people killed in Israeli strikes a day earlier, in the southern town of Daraa on March 18, 2025. (AFP)

Three months following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria is at a crossroads, the top UN envoy for the country said Tuesday.

Geir Pedersen told the UN Security Council that Syria can return to violence or start an inclusive transition and end decades of conflict.

He said the road back to conflict, fragmentation and violations of Syrian sovereignty by external powers "must not come to pass." The other road, which would restore Syria’s sovereignty and regional security, is "viable," but "requires the right Syrian decisions" and international support, Pedersen said.

Syria’s civil war had gone on for 13 years when a lightning insurgency led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) overthrew Assad in December, ending his family’s more than 50-year rule.

Former HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was announced as the country’s interim president after a meeting of armed groups that took part in the offensive.

Pedersen spoke weeks after clashes between Sharaa's security forces and armed groups loyal to Assad - sparked by an ambush by regime remnants on the security forces - spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks that killed scores of civilians, most of them Alawites, a minority sect to which Assad belongs. It was the worst violence since December.

Pedersen told the council that while the situation was "comparatively calmed" after several days, the UN continues to receive reports "of harassment and intimidation, including with heavy sectarian overtones."

He said the interim authorities announced an independent investigation. Pedersen said he stressed that it must be transparent, in line with international standards, and its findings made public.

The UN special envoy, who will be returning to Damascus shortly, highlighted several priority areas for action and attention.

The latest violence, he said, "laid bare the urgent need for credible and efficient accountability for crimes" committed over decades.

He said the UN and the international community will be watching whether the soon-to-be-announced transitional government and transitional legislative council reflect Syria’s diversity and include both men and women.

Pedersen said his team was consulted on a temporary constitution and gave advice on international best practices and norms. "Some of this was taken on board, some was not," he said.

In mid-March, Sharaa signed a temporary constitution that promises to protect the rights of all Syrians for five years during a transitional phase.

"Some Syrians have commended the effort to fill the constitutional vacuum, and noted the incorporation of international human rights norms," Pedersen said. "But others have expressed reservations about the non-transparent process of its drafting and the substance itself — particularly a very strong presidency with unclear checks and balances between state powers and ambiguity regarding the transition steps."

Pedersen also cited other issues that demand action, including dealing with armed groups and foreign fighters, and reviving the economy.