TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The UN human rights office on Tuesday expressed serious concern over Israel's proposal to collaborate with other countries, including the United States, on the so-called "voluntary" transfer of Palestinians out of Gaza.
The UN cautioned that such a plan could constitute forced transfer under international law. "This raises concerns with regard to forcible transfer," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters at a UN press briefing in Geneva, as reported by Anadolu.
"The concept of voluntary transfers in the context that we're seeing in Gaza right now -- it's very questionable," Shamdasani said.
The UN has previously issued warnings against statements, including those by U.S. President Donald Trump, that suggest relocating Palestinians from Gaza.
The plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza resurfaced during a dinner meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump at the White House on Monday night.
Referring to Trump’s earlier plan for relocating Gazans, which was unveiled when the Israeli prime minister visited the White House in February, Netanyahu stated that Israel and the U.S. were "getting close to finding several countries" willing to accept Palestinians seeking to leave the war-torn Gaza Strip.
"I think President Trump had a brilliant vision. It’s called free choice. If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave," Netanyahu said, as reported by the Times of Israel. “Gaza shouldn’t be a prison. It should be an open place.”
The Israeli government has embraced Trump’s vision for taking over Gaza, viewing it as an opportunity to "encourage the voluntary migration" of Palestinians from the Strip.
"We’re working with the United States very closely [to] find countries that will… give the Palestinians a better future," Netanyahu said.
Trump claimed he had received "great cooperation" from "surrounding countries" on the issue, adding, "Something good will happen."
However, while some neighboring countries have accepted Palestinians for medical treatment, none have publicly agreed to cooperate with Trump’s initiative to resettle them.
These nations are generally unwilling to interfere in what is widely perceived as a land conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, especially given that some of Netanyahu’s coalition partners have advocated for settlement construction in areas of Gaza cleared of Palestinians.
A senior Israeli official, speaking after the dinner, indicated that Israel believes Trump is serious about encouraging Palestinians from Gaza to emigrate voluntarily.
"After tonight, I am [convinced]," said the official. "The plan is alive. What is needed is operational coordination, not only the aims, but how we achieve it. And that is what we discussed. The desire is there," the official said.
Since October 2023, Israeli forces have killed more than 57,500 Palestinians in Gaza, with the majority being women and children. The relentless bombardment has devastated the enclave, leading to severe food shortages and the widespread outbreak of disease.
Editor's Choice: UN: Over 700,000 Palestinians Displaced in Gaza Since March
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