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Hamas slams Trump’s plan for US takeover of Gaza

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Hamas denounced on Monday a plan reportedly being considered by US President Donald Trump for the United States to take control of the devastated Gaza Strip and for its population to be relocated.

Almost two years since Israel began its campaign in Gaza after Hamas militants’ October 7, 2023, attack, swathes of the Palestinian territory have been reduced to rubble, and the vast majority of its population has been displaced at least once.

The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the White House was considering a plan that would see Gaza—home to roughly two million people—become a trusteeship administered by the United States for at least 10 years.

The goal would be to transform the territory into a tourism magnet and high-tech hub, according to the US newspaper, which cited a 38-page prospectus for the initiative.

The outline also calls for at least the temporary relocation of all of Gaza’s population, either through “voluntary” departures to other countries or into restricted, secured zones inside the territory.

Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim slammed the proposal on Monday, asserting, “Gaza is not for sale.”

“Gaza is… part of the greater Palestinian homeland,” he added.

Trump first floated the idea in February of turning Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East” after moving out its Palestinian residents and putting it under American control.

The idea drew swift condemnation from across the Arab world, including from Palestinians themselves, for whom any effort to force them off their land would recall the “Nakba,” or catastrophe—the mass displacement of Palestinians during Israel’s creation in 1948.

Another official from Hamas, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP the group “rejects all these plans that abandon our people and keep the occupier on our land”.

They said such proposals were “worthless and unjust”, adding that no details of the initiative had been communicated to Hamas.

‘Nonsense’

According to the Post, Gaza residents who own land would be given a digital token by the Gaza Reconstitution, Economic Acceleration and Transformation Trust, or GREAT Trust, in exchange for the right to develop their property.

Recipients could use this token to start a new life somewhere else or eventually redeem it for an apartment in one of six to eight new “AI-powered, smart cities” to be built in the territory.

The State Department did not immediately reply to an AFP request for comment.

Qasem Habib, a 37-year-old Palestinian living in a tent in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City, told AFP the reported proposal was “nonsense.”

“If they want to help Gaza, the way is known: pressure (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu to stop the war and the killing.”

Fellow Gazan Wael Azzam, 60, living in the Al-Mawasi area near the southern city of Khan Yunis, said he had not “heard of the new American plan, but even without knowing it, it is a failed plan.”

“We were born and raised here,” he added, questioning whether the US president would accept displacement from his own home.

But Ahmed Al-Akkawi, 30, said he would back the proposal if it halted the fighting.

“The plan is excellent if the war stops and we are transferred to European countries to live a normal life, and if guarantees are made to rebuild Gaza,” he said.

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PHOTOS: Igbo Community in Osun Storms Streets for Egungun Festival

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The Igbo community in Osun State on Saturday held its annual Egungun Festival, drawing thousands of participants and spectators across the state.

The colourful celebration saw various masquerades (Egungun) accompanied by large crowds of Igbo residents who trooped to major streets in Osogbo in jubilation.

The main venue of the festival was the Freedom Park in Osogbo, which hosted cultural displays, music, and traditional performances.

AMILOADED correspondent who visited the venue observed a heavy security presence, with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and operatives of Amotekun Corps providing orderliness.

The festival attracted not only members of the Igbo community but also indigenes and residents of Osun, who watched the cultural display with excitement.

The streets of Osogbo were filled with festive activities as masquerades entertained onlookers, whiledancers thrilled the gathering with traditional rhythms.

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Nollywood Actor Ibrahim Chatta Loses Son

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Popular Nollywood actor, Ibrahim Chatta, is grieving the loss of his son.

The 54-year-old actor shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram page on Saturday, though he did not disclose details surrounding the boy’s death.

Posting a photo of his late son, Chatta wrote, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Ya Allah, You are the Knower of all things. Rest on, Dear son, champ.”

The tragic announcement drew an outpouring of condolences from colleagues and fans, who filled the comment section with words of comfort and prayers for the bereaved family.

This came just days after the Nollywood community was hit by another loss, following the death of veteran actress Peju Ogunmola’s only son, Ayomikun, who passed away in Ibadan earlier this week.

The back-to-back tragedies have thrown Nollywood into mourning, with many describing the moment as one of the darkest in recent memory.

Chatta had previously opened up about the pain of losing a child. In June, he recounted how financial hardship and poor access to healthcare led to the death of his first child, a daughter.

According to him, he could not afford a proper coffin at the time and was forced to bury her in an old wooden Coca-Cola crate.

The actor’s latest loss has once again drawn attention to the personal struggles behind the glitz of Nollywood, while fans and colleagues continued to rally around him in solidarity.

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Defence headquarters warns former soldiers against protests

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned discharged soldiers protesting at the Federal Ministry of Finance over the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to desist, describing the demonstrations as illegal.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, issued the warning on Friday, September 5, saying the protests were obstructing official activities at the ministry and would no longer be tolerated.

“The Defence Headquarters acknowledges freedom of legitimate protest, but the veterans are strongly advised to trade with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance in order to pave way for normal government functions to be seamlessly conducted,” Kangye stated.

He clarified that neither the government nor the DHQ owed retired soldiers any SDA, explaining that payments were being made in line with applicable wage charts. “Gratuity and SDA are calculated based on the salary chart effective on a soldier’s date of retirement,” he said.

Kangye noted that those who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, fell under the pre-minimum wage chart, while retirees from July 29, 2024, onward were placed under the minimum wage chart following the implementation of the new wage structure.

“Unfortunately, soldiers who retired before the implementation date have insisted their benefits should be calculated with the new minimum wage chart, which is not possible. Government policies have effective dates of implementation and this case cannot be an exception,” Kangye stressed.

He urged the ex-soldiers to respect laid-down processes and desist from further illegal demonstrations.

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