US President Donald Trump has vowed to empty Gaza permanently of its 2 million Palestinians, sparking concerns that it could be a war crime under international law. Rights groups and Palestinian leaders have criticized the plan, saying it normalizes the erasure of their identity and dehumanization.
Trump’s plan is billed as being for the Palestinians’ own benefit, promising them a “beautiful new land” elsewhere. However, Palestinians have made clear they don’t want to leave Gaza, which remains part of their homeland after two wars in 1948 and 1967. Despite devastation, Palestinians have shown determination to stay and rebuild.
The plan’s ambiguity on how Palestinians would be removed or what would happen if they refused to go has raised fears of forced displacement. Critics argue that moving a population from occupied territory is a war crime under international law, as seen in Nazi Germany and Bosnia during World War II. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have echoed this concern.
Trump’s stance has been met with criticism from Palestinians and rights groups, who see it as dehumanizing and Kafkaesque. Palestinian leaders argue that their identity remains tied to the land, despite Trump’s claims they would be relocated to a “beautiful location” with new homes.
As the ceasefire in Gaza remains precarious, concerns over Trump’s plan continue to escalate. The International Court of Justice is considering arguments that Israel’s campaign in Gaza constitutes genocide, while Palestinians point to their commitment to stay by returning to destroyed homes under the ceasefire.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-plan-palestinians-israel-3f12eb51869da2221afbb22b0bcf47ba