US, Israel explore African locations for Palestinian resettlement from Gaza

According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), based on US and Israeli officials, the US and Israel have contacted officials from three East African countries to resettle Palestinians displaced from Gaza, within the framework of Trump’s proposed plan for the post-war period.

According to the AP, the discussions held with Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, which seceded from Somalia, demonstrate the determination of the US and Israel to implement this plan, which has sparked serious reactions and debates. The fact that these countries are impoverished and, in some cases, shaken by violence casts a shadow over Trump’s goal of resettling Palestinians in a “beautiful area,” according to the AP.

Sudanese officials stated that they rejected the proposals from the US, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland told the AP they were unaware of any contacts.

Two Sudanese officials confirmed that the Trump administration approached the government about accepting Palestinians. One of the officials said that the contacts began before Trump took office, with offers of military assistance against the RSF, post-war reconstruction, and other incentives. Both officials said the Sudanese government rejected the idea. One official stated, “This proposal was immediately rejected. No one has brought up this issue again.”

According to Trump’s plan, more than 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza will be permanently relocated to other regions. The plan envisages the US taking control of Gaza, conducting a comprehensive cleansing process, and developing the area as a real estate project.

Previously seen as a fantasy of the Israeli far-right, this idea was described as a “bold vision” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Trump raised it at a White House meeting last month.

Palestinians in Gaza rejected the proposal and did not accept Israel’s claims that migration would be voluntary. Arab countries also strongly opposed the plan, proposing an alternative reconstruction plan that envisions Palestinians remaining in the region. Human rights groups also state that forcing or pressuring Palestinians to migrate could constitute a potential war crime.

Despite this, the White House announced that it “stands behind Trump’s vision.”