On Wednesday, the United Nations strongly reiterated that deporting people from occupied territories is strictly prohibited.
This statement was issued by Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in response to President Donald Trump’s surprising proposal for the United States to take over Gaza and relocate its residents.
The Gaza Strip, heavily damaged during a 15-month conflict sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, has been a focal point of President Trump’s assertions, as he has frequently taken credit for brokering a ceasefire agreement that was implemented last month.
In his proposal, Trump suggested relocating over two million Palestinians from Gaza and transforming the war-torn area by clearing unexploded ordnance and debris, and spearheading economic redevelopment.
“It is crucial that we proceed to the next phase of the ceasefire: releasing all hostages and arbitrarily detained prisoners, ending the conflict, and reconstructing Gaza while fully adhering to international humanitarian and human rights laws. The suffering of people in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel has been unbearable. Palestinians and Israelis need peace and security, grounded in full dignity and equality,” Türk emphasized in his statement.
Türk highlighted the unequivocal nature of international law, asserting, “The right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law and must be upheld by all states, as recently reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice. Any forcible transfer or deportation of people from occupied territory is strictly prohibited.”
Trump’s proposal to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its inhabitants was met with widespread rejection from Palestinians, Middle Eastern leaders, and governments around the world on Wednesday. The proposal was announced amidst audible gasps during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom Trump was hosting at the White House for discussions.
