New York (Agencies): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday stressed the importance of refraining from “any form of ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians amid a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Guterres’s remarks came in response to US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to take control of Gaza and resettle its residents.
During a White House news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump suggested that the United States could “take over” Gaza, sparking international outrage. Guterres emphasized that forced displacement of people is tantamount to ethnic cleansing and called for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
The UN chief highlighted the need for humanitarian access and urged the international community to support the essential work of UNRWA, the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees. He also reaffirmed the importance of the two-state solution and the right of Palestinians to live in their own land.