UN migration chief breaks silence on Gaza evacuation, says “we wouldn’t be involved in any kind of forced movement”
Amy Pope, the new director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) attends a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Oct. 2, 2023. Reuters
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) will not participate in any forced evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza, its director Amy Pope says.
Speaking to AFP, Pope declared, “We made a commitment to the communities that we serve that we wouldn’t be involved in any kind of forced movement of population or evacuation of people.”
Her remarks follow US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to remove over two million Palestinians from Gaza and redevelop the war-ravaged territory.
The plan, which envisions Gaza as the “Riviera of the Middle East,” has drawn widespread condemnation since it was introduced in early February.
Pope noted that regional governments strongly oppose any displacement, stating, “As we’re seeing right now, (the displacement of Palestinians) has been a red line for both the government of Jordan and Egypt.”
She further clarified, “We’re a humanitarian actor… we certainly don’t engage in activities that would be red lines for key member states.”
During her recent visit to Gaza, Pope described the devastation: “You see buildings that have been completely destroyed, you see rubble” and people struggling to stay warm in the ruins. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported the deaths of six newborns due to extreme cold, underscoring the humanitarian crisis.
Over 15 months of war have displaced most of Gaza’s population and caused over $53 billion in damage, according to UN estimates. A ceasefire since January 19 has increased humanitarian aid, though Hamas accuses Israel of blocking vital supplies.
