U.S. President, Donald Trump's recent proposal to assume control of the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate its population to other Arab countries has sparked widespread criticism from human rights advocates, political analysts, and global leaders.
Many have described the plan as a violation of international law and humanitarian principles, with fears that it could further destabilize the Middle East.
Recall that Trump had said Palestinians have "no alternative" but to leave Gaza due to the devastation caused by Israel's war on Hamas.
Trump claimed Palestinians would "love to leave Gaza" if they have an alternative to do so.
"I don't think people should be going back to Gaza. Gaza is not a place for people to be living, and the only reason they want to go back, and I believe this strongly, is because they have no alternative... If they had an alternative, they'd much rather not go back to Gaza and live in a beautiful alternative that's safe," he told reporters.
But Barrister Haruna Magashi, a staunch advocate for Palestinian independence and member of the "Kano Stands with Palestine" group in an interview with DAILY POST, strongly criticized the proposal, calling it an unprecedented affront to global human rights.
"There has never been talks of ethnic cleansing on the global stage; no convention allows such inhumane treatment in a free society. The world needs to rally and put an end to Trump's crusade," he said.
Magashi further accused the U.S. of targeting Palestine for its potential resources, speculating that untapped wealth might be the driving force behind the interest in Gaza.
"This is not just about geopolitics; it's about economic dominance and resource exploitation. Palestine must not be the next victim of resource plundering," he warned.
The announcement of this proposal reportedly caught even senior members of Trump's administration off guard.
According to a New York Times report citing four anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, the plan lacked proper planning or groundwork. Trump's insistence on depopulating Gaza initially seemed like one of his hyperbolic remarks.
However, he has since repeated the idea multiple times, including during prepared remarks alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Rights groups have condemned the proposed relocation of Gaza's population, warning that it would amount to ethnic cleansing. Global leaders have also expressed grave concerns about the implications of the plan.
A European Union spokesperson warned that forcibly uprooting Palestinians could exacerbate unrest and violence in an already volatile region.
The timing of the proposal has added to the controversy, coming just days after a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on January 19.
The Trump administration had taken credit for negotiating the truce, led by envoy Steve Witkoff, but analysts fear the Gaza plan could jeopardize the fragile peace.
Amnesty International, in its reaction to Trump's proposal said Amnesty said the US President proposal to transfer Palestinians from Gaza is "outrageous" and "a flagrant violation of international law".
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