Trump's Gaza Proposal Triggers International Condemnation

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) President Donald Trump's proposal for the US to take over war-ruined Gaza and create a "Riviera of the Middle East" after resettling Palestinians elsewhere has shattered US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing global condemnation.
The shock move from Trump, a longtime New York property developer, drew rebukes from international powers including Russia, China and Germany, which said it would bring "new suffering and new hatred". Regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia rejected the proposal outright.
It is not clear whether Trump will go ahead with his controversial proposal or is simply taking an extreme position as a bargaining strategy. Trump said that he plans to visit Gaza, Israel and Saudi Arabia, but did not say when he will go.
Trump offered no specifics as he announced his proposal while welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Tuesday.
We live or die here: Gazans
War-displaced Palestinians finally back to the Gaza Strip's devastated north told AFP yesterday that they would never agree to give up the territory as US President Donald Trump has suggested. "We only have one choice: to live or die here", said Ahmed Halasa, a 41-year-old resident of Gaza City, standing by the ruins of a toppled building. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinians were equally outraged by talk of displacement. "We will not leave our land even if they brought all the tanks in the world," said Umm Muhammad al-Baytar, a resident of Ramallah.
GCC reaffirms support for Palestinians
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reaffirmed its unwavering stance in supporting the Palestinian cause, the sovereignty of the Palestinian people over all territories occupied since June 1967, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensuring the return of refugees in accordance with the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy while rejecting any unilateral actions.
Deportation 'strictly prohibited': UN
UN rights chief Volker Turk insisted yesterday that deporting people from occupied territory was strictly prohibited.
No compromise on Palestinian state: Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia said yesterday it will not normalise ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is established. "Saudi Arabia will continue its relentless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, and will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without that," the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement on X.
Oman categorically rejects relocation plan
The Sultanate of Oman has affirmed its categorical rejection of any attempts to transfer the residents of the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, stressing the need to respect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on their land. Oman warned that any plans aimed at transferring Palestinians from their lands constitute a flagrant violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions, and a threat to security and stability in the region.
UAE rejects 'displacement'
The United Arab Emirates yesterday rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians. The foreign ministry "stressed its categorical rejection of any infringement on the Palestinians' unalienable rights, and any attempts of displacement."
The UAE underscored the importance of finding a serious political solution to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and establish an independent Palestinian state.
Jordan king rejects displacement
King Abdullah II of Jordan stressed the need to achieve a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of a two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the lines of the Fourth of June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Arab League: Supports Palestinian Statehood
Arab League has emphasized that there is a full Arab unanimity beyond any doubt on constants of the Palestinian cause, foremost of which is enabling the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights to establish their independent state on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital. Arab League stressed that the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip constitute the future Palestinian statehood as part of the two-state solution.
Egypt calls for Gaza reconstruction
Egypt called yesterday for the swift reconstruction of Gaza and said Palestinians should not have to leave the territory, where he said the Palestinian Authority should "assume its duties". Egypt's foreign ministry statement stopped short of referring directly to Trump's latest announcement on a US takeover of the territory.
Gaza integral part of future Palestinian state: EU
Gaza should be an essential part of a future Palestinian state, said a European Union foreign policy spokesperson yesterday, adding that the EU was committed to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. "We took note of President Trump's comments. The EU remains firmly committed to a two-state solution, which we believe is the only path to long-term peace for both Israelis and Palestinians," the EU spokesperson said.
Gaza 'belongs to Palestinians', Berlin
The Gaza Strip "belongs to the Palestinians", German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said yesterday after President Donald Trump suggested the United States should take over the war-ravaged territory. "The civilian population of Gaza must not be expelled and Gaza must not be permanently occupied or repopulated," Baerbock said in a statement.
"
Gazans 'must be allowed home': UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisted yesterday that Palestinians "must be allowed home" after President Donald Trump's shock suggestion that the US should take over the Gaza Strip. Starmer also reiterated Britain's support for a Palestinian state.
Indonesia 'strongly rejects' Trump's Gaza plan
Indonesia "strongly rejects" the proposal made by President Donald Trump for the United States to assume control of Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday. "Indonesia strongly rejects any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians or alter the demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the Foreign Ministry said.
Trump's proposal 'makes no sense': Lula
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said yesterday that US President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle Palestinians elsewhere and take over war-ravaged Gaza "makes no sense." "Where would Palestinians live? This is something incomprehensible to any human being," Lula said.

MENAFN06022025000067011011ID1109175082