Norfolk Middle East expert says Israel-Hamas ceasefire hangs in the balance after Trump's Gaza 'plan'
The UK Government says it would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will
An expert in Middle Eastern politics working at a University in Norfolk is telling us the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal hangs in the balance - following the US President's remarks about Gaza's future.
Donald Trump says America intends to take over this territory and resettle it's two million citizens, who are mostly Palestinian, to nearby Egypt and Jordan, a suggestion both countries have rejected.
"This whole situation is far more complicated than President Trump thinks"
Dr Eitan Tzelgov is from the University of East Anglia: "Hamas' actions over the next few days are going to be critical.
"They have already said that they may not continue with this deal, because of Trump's comments. It's also going to be really interesting to see what the Israeli military do as well.
"This whole situation is far more complicated than President Trump thinks. There is no way that the US is going to own this area and Trump is not going to send troops in to fight Israel's war.
"The only way that there's going to be some American involvement here is through an international coalition."
What's the UK Government said about this?
Britain would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will, a Foreign Office minister has said.
Anneliese Dodds issued a clear rejection of a proposal from President Donald Trump for the United States to consider taking ownership of the Gaza Strip.
Mr Trump suggested the US could redevelop the war-torn territory into the "Riviera of the Middle East".
Replying to an urgent question, Ms Dodds told the House of Commons: "Palestinians must determine the future of Gaza with support from regional states and the wider international community.
"We would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip.
"Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives - that is a right guaranteed under international law.
"Gaza is home to two million Palestinians and remains an integral part of what must become a future Palestinian state, with Palestinians living next to Israelis in peace and security."
Ms Dodds said the US has played a "critical" role in negotiating the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, adding: "We must now work together to ensure the ceasefire is implemented in full and becomes permanent."
The minister said the UK Government is also "concerned" about the Israeli government's "expansion of war aims and operations" in the West Bank.
Ms Dodds said: "Stability is essential at this crucial time. We recognise Israel's right to defend itself and the continuing threat posed by armed groups, but it must show restraint and ensure the scale and conduct of its operations are commensurate to the threat posed.
"Civilians must be protected and the destruction of civilian infrastructure minimised. The UK remains opposed to illegal settlements, their expansion and settler violence."
In her concluding remarks, Ms Dodds said: "Our attention must now turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, grounded - to reiterate the point a final time - in a two-state solution."
Conservative former minister Kit Malthouse said "hot air" from both the Labour Government and the previous Tory administration led to Donald Trump "openly contemplating the forceable transfer of the Palestinians".
He added: "Are Arabs, and particularly Palestinians, entitled to the same protections under international law as everybody else?"
Ms Dodds said "international law is universal", adding: "This UK Government has taken a different approach to the previous government on matters of accountability, we were very clear that the UK's arms export regime had to be held to, that it had to be operated in line with international humanitarian law."
Conservative MP Bob Blackman (Harrow East) urged the Government to come up with a "counter proposal" to Mr Trump's, which is "reasonable and achievable".
Ms Dodds said the Government is seeking to work practically with the Palestinian Authority.