The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, has expressed shock and confusion over Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to take over the Gaza Strip and resettle its people. Grandi, speaking in an interview with AFP in Brussels on Wednesday, admitted that the idea was unclear and difficult to comment on.
UNHCR Expresses Concerns Over Trump’s Unclear Proposal
Trump’s announcement came as a shocking moment during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. The proposal, lacking any concrete details, suggested that the U.S. would remove unexploded bombs and rubble in Gaza while investing in economic redevelopment.
Grandi, however, questioned the feasibility and implications of such a move. “It’s something very surprising, but we have to see what it means in concrete terms,” he stated. His reaction reflects broader concerns within the international humanitarian community, as the proposal could significantly impact Palestinian refugees and the geopolitical stability of the region.
US Aid Freeze Adds to Growing Tensions
In addition to Trump’s unexpected Gaza plan, the UNHCR is already grappling with the fallout of Washington’s sweeping freeze on US aid. The U.S. has historically been one of the largest contributors to the agency, covering up to 40 percent of all donations.
Grandi confirmed that the UNHCR is currently “renegotiating” US support but expressed frustration over the uncertainty. “All of this is very fluid at the moment, which is a problem, because we are an organisation that cannot wait too long,” he said.
The combination of Trump’s bold but vague Gaza proposal and the ongoing US funding freeze has left humanitarian agencies and global leaders struggling for clarity.
