More than 30 independent UN human rights experts have shared a joint statement condemning “shocking threats” by US President Donald Trump to “take over” and “own” Gaza, Al Jazeera reports.

“It is manifestly illegal to invade and annex foreign territory by force, to forcibly deport its population, and to deprive the Palestinian people of their inalienable right to self-determination, including to retain Gaza within a sovereign Palestinian state,” the experts said.

The experts also warned that “such blatant violations by a major power” would have “devastating consequences for peace and human rights globally” and “return the world to the dark days of colonial conquest”.

They also proposed ways Trump could respond if he “is genuinely concerned for the welfare of Palestinians” including through a lasting ceasefire, resuming funding to UNRWA, ending arms transfers and compensating “Palestinians for damage resulting from US weapons and munitions supplied to Israel”.