Muslim Nations Oppose Trump’s Gaza Population Relocation Proposal
Muslim nations, during a special OIC meeting, rejected Trump’s call to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. They endorsed a Palestinian governance plan aimed at facilitating reconstruction and condemned actions that could be viewed as ethnic cleansing. The situation remains tense following the ceasefire and with significant humanitarian impacts resulting from the ongoing conflict.
Foreign ministers from Muslim nations convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and decisively rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip. Instead, they endorsed a governance plan for an administrative body of Palestinians to facilitate the reconstruction of Gaza, amidst concerns regarding the deteriorating ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), comprising 57 predominantly Muslim countries, expressed its collective disapproval of any measures aimed at displacing Palestinians, condemning such actions as ethnic cleansing and violations of international law. They also denounced policies that induce starvation as a means to force Palestinians to leave their homeland.
The conference saw the re-admittance of Syria into the OIC after its suspension in 2012 due to its government’s oppressive actions. The situation in Gaza remains tense following a ceasefire initiated in January, which had halted Israeli military operations but now faces instability as Israel raises doubts regarding the terms for a lasting peace.
While Trump suggested permanently resettling Gaza’s population to enable U.S. development of the area, the ministers from OIC aligned themselves with an Egyptian-backed plan to establish a governance committee in Gaza, operating under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Israel, however, has objected to the PA’s involvement, complicating governance after the conflict.
As the situation unfolds, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women and children, following Israel’s military campaign triggered by the October 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli fatalities and many taken hostage. Negotiations for the release of remaining hostages and a permanent resolution continue to face significant hurdles.
In summary, Muslim nations have collectively opposed President Trump’s call for the removal of Palestinians from Gaza, favoring instead a governance plan that encourages reconstruction and stability. The OIC has condemned the displacement of Palestinians and expressed solidarity with their plight while addressing the complex dynamics of governance in a post-conflict scenario. The ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for a sustainable resolution remain pressing issues as the situation develops further.
Original Source: apnews.com
