'This is ethnic cleansing': Trump faces backlash over Gaza proposal

US President Donald Trump is facing widespread criticism and accusations of proposing "ethnic cleansing" after stating that he would like to “just clean out” Gaza and relocate its Palestinian population to neighbouring countries. 

Speaking aboard Air Force One during a flight from Las Vegas to Miami on Saturday, Trump described Gaza as a “demolition site” and suggested moving its residents to Jordan and Egypt.

“I’d like Egypt to take people. I’d like Jordan to take people,” Trump said. “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing.”

He added that the move could be either temporary or long-term, saying, “something has to happen”.

Online, Trump’s remarks quickly drew sharp criticism, with many accusing him of endorsing ethnic cleansing. 

In a video posted on Instagram, a Palestinian woman said: “We’re willing to die on our land. We won’t leave it. This is the proof right in front of Trump’s eyes. Tell the whole world: we’re ready to die on our land."

"Our land is our honour. Trump is dreaming if he thinks any of us will go to Egypt or Jordan,” she continued in the voiceover of a clip filmed from the Netzarim corridor in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians can be seen returning to their destroyed homes in the north.

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