Israel Explores Resettlement of Gazans in South Sudan

Israeli officials are in discussions regarding the potential resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza to South Sudan. Sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicate that while no agreement has been finalized, talks are actively ongoing between the two nations. This initiative would involve relocating individuals from a region that has endured nearly two years of conflict to a country facing its own challenges of political instability and violence.

The discussions reportedly took place during a visit last month by South Sudanese Foreign Minister Semaya Kumba to Israel. This information has not been officially confirmed by either the Israeli government or South Sudan’s foreign ministry, which recently described earlier reports as “baseless.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed intentions to maintain military control over Gaza and has suggested that Palestinians should consider leaving the territory voluntarily. In response to these comments, leaders from the Arab world and beyond have rebuffed the notion of relocating Gaza’s population to another country. Palestinians view such a move as reminiscent of the “Nakba,” the mass displacement that occurred during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

Amid these developments, the U.S. State Department has refrained from commenting on private diplomatic conversations. A spokesperson stated, “we do not speak to private diplomatic conversations,” when asked about U.S. support for the resettlement plan.

Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, firmly rejected the idea of displacing Palestinians to South Sudan or any other location. His sentiments were echoed by the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which expressed strong opposition to any such initiatives.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who was in the South Sudanese capital Juba this week, addressed the discussions, clarifying that they did not center on resettlement. “This is not what the discussions were about,” she stated when questioned on the topic. Instead, she emphasized that conversations focused on foreign policy, humanitarian issues, and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan.

Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is in contact with several countries to explore potential options for Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza. Despite the ongoing dialogue, he has remained vague about the specifics of these plans, offering no further details on the resettlement discussions.

As the situation continues to unfold, the implications for both Gaza’s residents and South Sudan remain uncertain. The international community watches closely as negotiations progress amid a backdrop of significant humanitarian concerns.