Senior officials under U.S. President Donald Trump are reportedly advancing a controversial proposal to relocate as many as 1 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya, according to an NBC News report released Friday.
Citing five sources familiar with the discussions, the report states that the plan aims to resettle nearly half of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents in the North African country. Two of those sources indicated that the proposal has progressed to the point of being discussed directly with Libyan authorities.
According to three of the individuals cited, the U.S. has offered to unfreeze billions of dollars in Libyan assets currently held abroad as an incentive for Libya to accept the displaced population. The Israeli government has reportedly been kept informed of the discussions, although no agreement has been finalized.
In remarks made Thursday during a visit to Qatar, Trump floated the idea of transforming Gaza into what he called a “freedom zone,” suggesting direct U.S. involvement in reshaping the territory. “Let the United States get involved and make it just a freedom zone,” he told reporters. “Put people in homes where they can be safe… and Hamas is going to have to be dealt with.”
Trump further suggested that, if necessary, the U.S. could take control of Gaza to stabilize the situation, citing the region’s recurring conflicts.
However, the White House has officially denied the report. A spokesperson told Anadolu Agency that the claims were “not true.”
A former U.S. official speaking to NBC said it remains unclear how many Palestinians would voluntarily agree to leave Gaza, and confirmed that financial incentives such as free housing and stipends are being considered to encourage relocation.
The plan faces significant hurdles, including logistical and political instability in Libya, which has been mired in conflict since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Armed clashes resumed in Tripoli earlier this week, culminating in the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, a prominent militia leader. A ceasefire was reached on Wednesday following two days of violence.
The proposal, if pursued, is expected to spark intense debate and international scrutiny given the humanitarian, legal, and geopolitical implications.