United Nations secretary-general warns against ethnic cleansing in Gaza

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a warning on Wednesday, calling for the avoidance of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed relocating Palestinians elsewhere and having the U.S. take over the war-torn enclave. The international community must work together to prevent further displacement and suffering in the region.

“As we seek solutions, we must never make the problem worse,” Guterres said at a pre-arranged UN committee meeting. “It is crucial to uphold the cornerstones of international law, to avoid any forced displacement of populations, and to reaffirm the two-state solution.” It is important to adhere to international norms and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of all parties involved.

While Guterres did not mention Trump or his Gaza proposal while addressing the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters earlier that it was “a reasonable assumption” to view Guterres' remarks as a response. Dujarric also revealed that Guterres had discussed the situation in the region with King Abdullah II of Jordan earlier that day. These discussions highlight the urgency and complexity of the situation in Gaza.

The UN has long supported the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders. Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, territories Israel captured in a 1967 war with neighboring Arab states. “Any lasting peace requires tangible, irreversible and permanent progress towards a two-state solution, an end to the occupation, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part of it,” Guterres said. “A viable, sovereign Palestinian State alongside Israel, living in peace and security, is the only sustainable solution for stability in the Middle East.”

Trump’s proposal to have the U.S. take over war-torn Gaza and resettle Palestinians elsewhere has already drawn global condemnation. An EU spokesperson said: “We have noted the comments of President Trump. The EU remains firmly committed to the two-state solution, which we believe is the only way for Israelis and Palestinians to live in lasting peace. Gaza is an integral part of a future Palestinian state.” Countries including Russia, China and Germany have also voiced condemnation, with Germany stating that it would bring “new suffering and new hatred” to the war-torn country. Trump unveiled the move on Tuesday evening during a press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without going into specifics. Meanwhile, Netanyahu lauded the president for trying to address the long-running conflict in new ways.

Trump’s floated plan to take over Gaza and resettle more than 1 million Palestinians has been met with disdain across much of the Middle East. Egypt, Jordan and a number of Arab nations have said they are vehemently opposed to any attempt to push Palestinians across their borders. Saudi Arabia has also flatly rejected the proposal, with its foreign ministry saying it rejects “any attempt to displace Palestinians from their land.” Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has affirmed the Kingdom’s position in a “clear and unequivocal way” that allows for no interpretation under any circumstances. The U.S. president told reporters he believes that King Abdullah of Jordan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, with whom he has discussed the plan, will ultimately come around to the idea despite their rejections. Meanwhile, Turkey called the move “unacceptable.”

China and Russia have also voiced criticism of the approach. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow supports the two-state solution, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry echoed the sentiment. Some of America’s allies in Europe have also underscored their support for a two-state solution to the conflict. The EU’s foreign policy spokesperson said that Gaza should be a vital part of a future Palestinian state, adding that the EU is committed to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the plan would “lead to new suffering and new hatred.” The international community is largely united in its commitment to a peaceful and sustainable resolution.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer appeared to disagree with Trump’s plan in parliament on Wednesday, saying Palestinians “must be allowed to go home.” He said: “They must be allowed to rebuild, and we should stand with them in rebuilding towards a two-state solution.” French foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said the plan “would constitute a grave violation of international law, an attack on the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians” and is “a major obstacle to the two-state solution and a major factor of destabilization for our close partners Egypt and Jordan and for the whole region.” Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said, “Gaza is the land of the Gazan Palestinians, and they have to stay in Gaza.”

The ongoing 15-month war between Israel and the militant group Hamas has left 47,000 people dead and millions displaced in the Gaza Strip. The conflict erupted after Hamas militants attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing at least 1,200 people and taking at least 250 hostage. An agreement for a cease-fire and the release of hostages held by Hamas went into effect on Jan. 19. The international community continues to seek a lasting resolution to the conflict and an end to the suffering of civilians.