United Nations human rights experts have strongly condemned statements by US President Donald Trump suggesting that the United States could “take over” and “own” Gaza, even using military force if necessary. The experts warned that such a move would constitute a grave violation of international law and set a dangerous precedent for global stability.
In a statement issued from Geneva, the UN experts said the US proposal “would shatter the most fundamental rules of the international order and the United Nations Charter since 1945,” rules that the US itself helped establish in the aftermath of World War II. They further cautioned that such actions could embolden other nations to engage in territorial conquest, leading to devastating consequences for global peace and human rights.
Violation of International Law
The experts emphasized that forcibly annexing Gaza, deporting its population, and denying Palestinians their right to self-determination would be “manifestly illegal.” They pointed to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which recognize the mass deportation of civilians from occupied territories as a war crime, and stated that such actions today also constitute crimes against humanity.
“International law exists to prevent predatory states from violently colonizing foreign lands and subjugating their populations,” the experts said. “Replacing the rule of law with the law of the strongest would return the world to the dark days of colonial conquest.”
Echoes of Past Violations
The UN experts recalled previous actions by the Trump administration that disregarded international law, including the unilateral recognition of Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, which were widely rejected by the International Court of Justice, the UN General Assembly, and the Security Council. They warned that a US occupation of Gaza would further destabilize the region and lead to “perpetual war, death, and destruction.”
Call for Diplomatic Solutions
Instead of military action, the UN experts urged the United States to pursue diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. They called for an immediate ceasefire, renewed funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), and compensation for Palestinian casualties and infrastructure damage caused by US-supplied weapons used by Israel.
“If the US President is genuinely concerned for the welfare of Palestinians, his administration should pressure Israel to end its military campaign, compensate Palestinians for damages, and support meaningful Palestinian statehood,” the statement read.
Global Opposition to US Proposal
The experts urged world leaders to “resolutely oppose” the US President’s proposal, warning that any attempt to legitimize military occupation and forced displacement would undermine the entire framework of international human rights protections.
Israeli military operations in Gaza have already resulted in over 48,100 Palestinian deaths and displaced 85% of the population, leaving nearly two million people without adequate food, water, or shelter. The experts stressed that the world must not allow a return to an era where “brute force determines sovereignty and human rights are disregarded.”
