Reports indicate that Israel has held talks with South Sudan over the potential relocation of Palestinians from Gaza to the East African nation — a move human rights organisations warn could constitute forcible expulsion and violate international law.
According to six people familiar with the discussions, the proposal is part of a wider Israeli strategy to displace Palestinians from Gaza. Critics say such a transfer could prevent Palestinians from ever returning, clearing the way for Israel to annex the enclave and revive Israeli settlements there, as advocated by some far-right ministers in the Israeli government.
South Sudan, still recovering from a devastating civil war that began in 2011 and killed nearly 400,000 people, already hosts significant refugee populations from neighbouring conflicts. Civil society leader Edmund Yakani cautioned that the country “should not become a dumping ground for people” or be used “as negotiating chips” to advance diplomatic ties.
Sources also told the Associated Press that Israel and the United States have floated similar ideas with Sudan, Somalia, and the self-declared Republic of Somaliland. Egyptian authorities, however, have voiced strong opposition to any forced transfer, fearing a refugee influx across their border.
Observers note that South Sudan may seek political and economic concessions in exchange for participating in the plan. US lobbying contacts suggested the country could push for the lifting of travel bans and removal of sanctions targeting certain elites.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously described the mass departure of Gaza residents as “voluntary migration” and linked the idea to past policy statements by former US President Donald Trump. While Netanyahu recently said the population should be allowed to leave before Israel intensifies its military actions in Gaza, he did not specifically mention South Sudan in that interview.