UN chief condemns Trump’s Gaza proposal, warns against 'ethnic cleansing'

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned against ethnic cleansing in Gaza following controversial remarks from US President Donald Trump, who proposed US control over the Palestinian territory and the displacement of its residents.

On Tuesday, President Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a White House press conference, suggested the United States should take “long-term ownership” of Gaza, sparking widespread condemnation. Trump’s comments followed his repeated calls for Gaza’s residents to relocate to neighbouring Jordan or Egypt.

In response to the proposal, Guterres addressed the UN, emphasising that the basic rights of Palestinians are about the “right of Palestinians to simply live as human beings in their own land.” He lamented how these rights have become increasingly out of reach for the Palestinian people.

"We have seen a chilling, systematic dehumanization and demonization of an entire people," he added, referring to the ongoing conflict and the suffering endured by Palestinians.

Guterres calls for two-state solution

While condemning the violence that led to the Gaza war, Guterres reiterated his call for a two-state solution that would allow both Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace. He stressed that “any durable peace will require tangible, irreversible and permanent progress toward the two-state solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part."

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric was quick to respond to Trump’s proposal, stating that "any forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing." He emphasised the importance of adhering to international law and avoiding any actions that could be seen as ethnic cleansing.

In the wake of backlash, Trump’s officials attempted to clarify the proposal, suggesting that any displacement of Gaza's residents would be temporary while the area is rebuilt. They also indicated that Trump had not committed to sending US troops to enforce the plan.

Palestinian reaction to Trump's plan

Palestinian representatives strongly rejected the idea. Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s envoy to the UN, reaffirmed that Gaza remains a vital part of Palestine. "We are not going to leave Gaza," Mansour declared. "It is part of our homeland, and we don't have a homeland other than the State of Palestine." He also expressed Palestinians' desire to return to their homes in present-day Israel, from which they were displaced.

Looking ahead, Mansour called for a “successful” international conference at the UN in June, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, to discuss a peaceful solution to the ongoing crisis. Despite the extensive damage to Gaza, which includes the devastation of Gaza City, thousands of Palestinians have returned under a fragile ceasefire.

Agency