Trump's Gaza plan will be seen as flying in face of international law

Recently, US President Donald Trump has made some controversial statements regarding Gaza, a region that has been at the center of conflict for many years. He referred to Gaza as a 'demolition site' and suggested that it needs to be 'cleaned out. ' Initially, it was unclear whether these comments were just offhand remarks, but as Trump prepared for a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it became evident that he was serious about his proposals. His ideas represent a significant shift in the United States' long-standing position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and many experts believe they contradict international law. Trump and his administration are framing the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza as a humanitarian effort, claiming that there is no other option for them because the area is in ruins. However, under international law, forcibly moving people from their homes is strictly forbidden. This has led to widespread condemnation from Palestinians and Arab nations, who view Trump's proposals as a blatant attempt to expel them from their land. Arab leaders have already rejected Trump's ideas, particularly his suggestion that Egypt and Jordan could 'take' Palestinians from Gaza. In a joint statement, countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the Palestinian Authority expressed their concerns, stating that such actions could destabilize the region and hinder the chances for peace and coexistence among its people. The far-right factions in Israel have long sought to remove Palestinians from the occupied territories and expand Jewish settlements in their place. Following the attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, these groups, many of whom are part of Netanyahu's coalition, have called for an ongoing war against Hamas, vowing to re-establish Israeli settlements in Gaza. They have opposed any ceasefire or hostage release agreements. During a press conference with Netanyahu, Trump went beyond his previous calls for relocating Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, stating that the United States would take control of Gaza and rebuild it. When asked if Palestinians would be allowed to return, he suggested that 'the world's people' would inhabit the area, including Palestinians. His Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Trump's real estate expertise and vision for Gaza as the 'Riviera of the Middle East. ' The United Nations has reported that approximately 90% of Gaza's population, which is around 2. 3 million people, has been displaced due to the ongoing military operations since October 7, 2023. When questioned about the involvement of American troops in the takeover of Gaza, Trump stated, 'we'll do what is necessary. ' His proposals mark a radical transformation in the US stance on Gaza since the establishment of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent 1967 war, which initiated Israel's military occupation of the territory. Gaza is home to many Palestinians who were displaced during the wars surrounding Israel's creation, and their descendants now make up the majority of the population. If Trump's proposals were to be implemented, it would mean forcibly relocating over two million people, effectively erasing the possibility of a two-state solution. Palestinians and Arab nations would categorically reject such plans, viewing them as an expulsion strategy. Many in Netanyahu's political base and the ultranationalist settler movement in Israel would support Trump's statements, seeing them as a way to eliminate what they perceive as a threat from Gaza. For ordinary Palestinians, this would represent a severe form of collective punishment.