Israel and the United States are conducting quiet talks to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.

The "Wall Street Journal" revealed that the United States continues its efforts to deport hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, a step that has been framed in humanitarian terms, but governments in Europe and the Arab world have criticized it as unrealistic and a violation of international law.

This idea, which Israeli officials have publicly discussed since the beginning of the war in Gaza, gained the most traction earlier this year (February 4, 2025) when President Trump stated that the United States should take control of the territory and redevelop it as an international tourist destination while relocating many of its two million residents.

However, this interest has waned, but supporters of the idea continue their efforts. Sources familiar with the matter said that Israeli officials have sought the opinions of their counterparts in six countries and regions, including Libya, South Sudan, Somaliland, and Syria, regarding the reception of Palestinians who agree to leave Gaza, according to the newspaper.

Some individuals added that Israel and the United States are also pressuring Egypt to resettle the residents of the Gaza Strip in the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt, which previously controlled the Gaza Strip, has strongly opposed the idea. Its borders with Gaza make it logistically appealing in the eyes of the idea's supporters. This pressure has led to a number of controversial meetings, including verbal clashes between Israeli and Egyptian officials, according to some sources.

It is noted that White House deputy spokesperson Anna Kelly stated: "President Trump has always called for innovative solutions to improve the lives of Palestinians, including allowing them to settle in a new and beautiful place while Gaza is being rebuilt." She added, "However, Hamas must first agree to disarm and end this war, and we do not have any additional details to provide at this time."

Some sources confirmed the continuation of Israeli talks to resettle Gaza residents in South Sudan or Libya. One source told the newspaper that previous discussions about resettling Palestinians in Syria or Somaliland—a breakaway region from Somalia—had not made significant progress.

Most of the destinations under consideration have their own issues with civil conflicts and economic turmoil, and they are likely to face difficulties in accommodating hundreds of thousands of migrants. However, their deteriorating conditions have opened the door for deals that could provide economic support or other benefits in exchange for receiving individuals deported from Gaza or elsewhere.

The Trump administration deported a number of migrants in the United States to South Sudan last month and pressured several African countries to accept American deportees as well. Officials stated that South Sudan is eager to reset its relations with Washington, allowing it to accept more American deportees and engage in discussions with Israel about accepting Palestinians.

The issue of deportation is sensitive. Legal organizations, humanitarian groups, and some governments have questioned whether the departures would truly be voluntary. Some organizations, including Malaysia, the United Nations, and Human Rights Watch, have warned that the idea could be considered ethnic cleansing.

The South Sudanese Foreign Ministry stated that claims of such talks with Israel are unfounded. A representative from the Somaliland government said there are no ongoing discussions. Libyan and Syrian officials did not respond to requests for comment. Current and former U.S. officials stated that the United States has not participated in discussions between Israel and African countries regarding the resettlement of Palestinians.

In the White House last July, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel and the United States are trying to find homes for Palestinians who want to leave Gaza.

Netanyahu said, while Trump sat in front of him: "We are working closely with the United States to find countries that seek to achieve what they have always said - that they want to give Palestinians a better future."

Israeli officials had called for the transfer of Palestinians from Gaza long before Trump proposed his idea of a "Middle Eastern Riviera." Within a week of the attacks on October 7, 2023, then-Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamli'el presented a plan to the cabinet to enhance immigration from Gaza with the aim of forcing 1.7 million to leave, as she stated in a post on X in May.

The most enthusiastic supporters were far-right officials such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who have advocated for this idea for years.

Ben Gvir said at a conference for Jewish settlement: "Encourage immigration! Encourage immigration! Encourage immigration!" He added, "Honestly, this is the most moral and correct solution. Not by force, but tell them: we are giving you the option to leave for different countries. The Land of Israel is ours."

When Trump announced the idea of removing Palestinians from Gaza, Netanyahu and his government quickly embraced and praised it. In February, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz established a new department in the ministry to oversee the voluntary departure of Gaza residents.

Forced displacement