The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, spoke out against U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea for Palestinians to resettle elsewhere and let the U.S. take control of Gaza. Guterres warned that such actions could lead to ethnic cleansing, which is when people are forced to leave their homeland based on their identity or beliefs.
Guterres emphasized that international laws must be followed and that efforts to resolve the conflict should not make it worse. He reminded everyone of the importance of supporting a two-state solution, where two countries—Israel and Palestine—can peacefully exist next to each other.
He stressed that Gaza, a region held by Palestinians, is part of their homeland. The Palestinian people, led by their representative Riyad Mansour, are determined to rebuild Gaza after it was severely damaged by conflict. They are not looking to leave but to stay in their land with the hope of peace. Mansour said, “We have no country except Palestine. Gaza is a precious part of it.”
The two-state solution has been a long-standing goal for peace in the region, where Palestinians seek a state in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip—territories captured by Israel during the 1967 war.
Guterres said, “A viable, sovereign Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel is the only sustainable solution for Middle East stability.” This solution aims to end conflict and build lasting peace in the region.
