The head of the United Nations refugee agency, Filippo Grandi, has expressed surprise at former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the United States to take control of the Gaza Strip and relocate its residents.
Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Grandi stated that the plan’s details were unclear, making it difficult to assess such a sensitive issue. “It’s something very surprising, but we have to see what it means in concrete terms,” he told AFP.
Trump made the unexpected announcement during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. His proposal included clearing unexploded bombs, removing rubble, and rebuilding Gaza’s economy, but lacked specifics.
Grandi also revealed that the UNHCR was renegotiating U.S. support following Washington’s freeze on most of its aid. He noted that the U.S. previously contributed up to 40% of the agency’s funding, warning that prolonged uncertainty could disrupt humanitarian operations.
