The OIC condemned US President Trump's statements calling for the expulsion of the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip, support for the alleged Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian territories and the suspension of funding to UNRWA.

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned US President Donald Trump's statements calling for the expulsion of the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip, support for the alleged Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian territories and the suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

In a statement published on the OIC website, information on the issue was given.

The statement condemned Trump's statements calling for the expulsion of the Palestinian people from the Gaza Strip, support for the alleged Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian territories and the suspension of funding to UNRWA.

The OIC statement noted that Trump's statements will contribute to the consolidation of the occupation, colonial settlement and forcible seizure of Palestinian lands, which constitutes a clear violation of the principles of international law and relevant UN resolutions, including United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2334, undermining the chances for peace and destabilising the region.

The statement unequivocally rejected any plan to change the geographical, demographic or legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories and emphasised that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory.

The statement called for concerted efforts to achieve a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire, complete Israeli withdrawal, strengthening Palestinian resolve on their land and safe return to their homes, providing urgent aid, economic recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, and holding Israel accountable for all its crimes against the Palestinian people.

Reiterating the organisation's steadfast support for UNRWA and its central and irreplaceable role, the statement said that any attempt to undermine UNRWA's existence or legal mandate as a witness to the international commitment to the rights of Palestinian refugees and as a factor of stability in the region is firmly rejected.

US President Trump withdrew the United States from UNRWA and the UN Human Rights Council with a presidential decree he signed at a signing ceremony at the White House.

Trump's plan to "take over" Gaza and forcibly displace Palestinians

At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the White House, Trump said that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip and would be responsible for dismantling unexploded bombs and other weapons there and getting rid of destroyed buildings.

Noting that Gaza is now a huge demolition site that has been completely destroyed, Trump argued that it would be much better for Palestinians in Gaza to move to new settlements to be built in neighbouring countries, especially Egypt and Jordan.

Trump said, "The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do a job there. We will own it, and we will be responsible for dismantling all dangerous unexploded bombs and other weapons on the ground, and getting rid of destroyed buildings."