US and Israeli officials have reportedly discussed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland with the governments of those countries.
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The United States and Israel have been in talks with three East African governments regarding the potential forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, according to sources cited by The Associated Press.
Reportedly, officials from Sudan claimed they have refused overtures from the US, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland mentioned they were unaware of any such contacts.
US and Israeli officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed these discussions with Somalia and Somaliland, as well as Sudan. However, the officials stated it is unclear how successful these efforts have been or what level these discussions have reached.
This development comes after US President Donald Trump suggested the idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians and “taking over” the Gaza Strip over a month ago. This proposal was met with widespread condemnation by Palestinians and countries in the Middle East, with many labeling it as ethnic cleansing.
Following Trump’s proposal, which was made alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the US and Israel initiated separate outreach efforts to the three potential destinations. US officials stated that Israel is leading these discussions.
There has been no immediate reaction to this report from the US or Israel.
Nevertheless, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has long advocated for the “voluntary” emigration of Palestinians, recently stated that Israel is working to identify countries that will take them in. Smotrich also mentioned that Israel is preparing a “very large emigration department” within its Ministry of Defense.
‘Red line’
Tamer Qarmout, an associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, emphasized that the forced displacement of Palestinians is "a red line that should not be crossed." He urged governments around the world to prevent this "outrageous" proposal and refrain from engaging with Israel on these scenarios, especially when it involves displacing Palestinians to African countries.
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"Sudan and Somalia are still ravaged by wars due to the colonial legacy. They [the Israeli government] have to be exposed and put on a shame list." – Tamer Qarmout
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In order to secure the acceptance of resettled Palestinians, it is believed that financial, diplomatic, and security incentives would be offered to the East African governments.
A US official involved in these efforts confirmed to AP that the US is having "a quiet conversation with Somaliland about a range of areas where they can be helpful to the US in exchange for recognition." The breakaway region, home to over 3 million people, would benefit from international recognition, which is a priority for its new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.
Meanwhile, it is difficult to understand why Somalia would be willing to host Palestinians, given its strong support for Palestinian self-rule, according to Sambu Chepkorir, a lawyer and conflict researcher in Nairobi.
"The realignments keep changing, and so maybe there is a hidden agenda in why Somalia," Chepkorir said.
Two Sudanese officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the Trump administration approached the military-led government regarding the acceptance of Palestinians. The contacts reportedly began even before Trump's inauguration, with offers of military assistance against the RSF paramilitary group, assistance with postwar reconstruction, and other incentives.
<p>However, both officials stated that the Sudanese government rejected the idea. "This suggestion was immediately rebuffed," said one official. "No one opened this matter again."
