At a high-level United Nations meeting on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a stern warning against any form of “ethnic cleansing” following President Donald Trump’s audacious proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and forcibly resettle its Palestinian residents. The plan, unveiled after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has triggered swift and widespread condemnation from international leaders and regional allies alike.
Trump’s proposal envisages a direct US intervention in Gaza, with the aim of transforming the territory into a Middle Eastern “Riviera”. Under this plan, the 2.3 million Palestinians currently living in Gaza would be forcibly displaced, with neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan expected to provide new homes for those affected. Speaking at a press conference, Trump claimed that his initiative would be warmly received, stating that “everybody loves [the plan]”, even as it provoked fierce criticism worldwide.
During the UN meeting, Guterres stressed the gravity of the situation, remarking, “It is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing.” His comments underscored the international community’s concern that the proposal would amount to an unprecedented forced transfer of people, a move that would not only contravene international law but also exacerbate an already volatile regional crisis.
The reaction from key international players has been unequivocal. Germany warned that the plan violated international law, while Brazil’s president described it as “incomprehensible”. China too voiced strong opposition, condemning the idea of a “forced transfer” of Gaza’s population. Such responses reflect deep concerns that any attempt to displace Palestinians could have far-reaching implications for the region’s stability.
Notably, the proposal has found favour among Israel’s far-right factions. Prime Minister Netanyahu, in an interview with Fox News, hailed the plan as “the first good idea I’ve heard” and urged for it to be examined and pursued further. Far-right figures, including finance minister Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, have similarly embraced the idea, arguing that it could “finally bury, with God’s help, the dangerous idea of a Palestinian state”. They contend that the proposal offers a bold solution to the enduring conflict, one that reshapes the future of the region by removing Palestinian claims to Gaza.
Yet, key regional allies have categorically rejected the proposal. Saudi Arabia, a pivotal player in Middle Eastern diplomacy, issued an unequivocal rejection of any plan that seeks to displace Palestinians. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that normalisation of ties with Israel is contingent upon the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Likewise, King Abdullah of Jordan, whose country already hosts over 2.7 million Palestinian refugees, condemned any notion of annexing land and forcibly relocating Palestinians, emphasising that such a move would be deeply destabilising.
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Egypt has also spoken out strongly against the idea. The Egyptian foreign ministry asserted that reconstruction in Gaza must proceed “without Palestinians leaving the territory”, warning that any forced displacement would jeopardise existing peace agreements. Late on Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron issued a joint statement declaring that any “forced displacement” of Gaza’s population would represent a serious violation of international law and a major destabilising force for both Egypt and Jordan.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to downplay the implications of the proposal, insisting that it “does not mean boots on the ground in Gaza”. She added that the plan was intended to temporarily relocate Palestinians rather than impose a permanent solution. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the proposal as not being a hostile move, though such assurances have done little to temper international outrage.
As discussions continue amid ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, Trump’s proposal has added an unsettling twist to an already complex and fragile situation. The emphatic warning from UN Secretary-General António Guterres serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost at stake, with the international community calling for any future actions to be firmly anchored in respect for international law and the protection of human rights.
