Brussels, Feb. 5 (BNA): The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, described US President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose American control over the Gaza Strip and relocate its residents to neighbouring countries as "very surprising". He emphasised the need for clarification of its details before drawing any conclusions.

In a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Grandi explained that the situation remains unclear, highlighting that this is a sensitive issue that requires further study to understand its implications on the ground.

Trump had proposed the idea of controlling Gaza, which has suffered devastation from war, and reiterated the suggestion of relocating its residents to Egypt and Jordan. The proposal was met with Palestinian rejection and opposition from both governments.

Separately, Grandi expressed concern over the potential reduction of US foreign aid, noting that the US is one of the largest contributors to the funding of the UN Refugee Agency, providing between 35% and 40% of its total financing. He said that any cuts would have a significant impact on humanitarian operations.

He added that the UNHCR is in ongoing discussions with the US administration to ensure the continuation of financial support for humanitarian programmes, highlighting that this remains a major challenge for the organisation amid urgent funding needs.

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