Russia believes a settlement in the Middle East is only possible on the basis of a two-state solution, the Kremlin said on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said he would like the United States to take over and redevelop the Gaza Strip.
Trump, who has previously proposed the permanent resettlement of more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, said Gaza could become "the Riviera of the Middle East".
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow's position that the only way to resolve the Middle East conflict was through the creation of a Palestinian state to exist side-by-side with Israel.
"This is the thesis that is enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolution, this is the thesis that is shared by the overwhelming majority of countries involved in this problem. We proceed from it, we support it and believe that this is the only possible option," he told reporters.
Peskov added that Trump's resettlement idea had been rejected by major Arab capitals.
Forced displacement of Gaza's population would likely be a violation of international law and would be fiercely opposed not only in the region but also by Washington's Western allies. Some human rights advocates liken the idea to ethnic cleansing.
