The United States and Israel have approached officials in Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, seeking to relocate forcibly displaced Palestinians from Gaza under a controversial plan backed by Donald Trump, according to American and Israeli officials.
Discussions with these East African governments signal a push to advance a resettlement scheme that has drawn widespread condemnation and raised serious legal and ethical concerns. Despite Trump’s claims that displaced Gazans would be moved to a “beautiful area,” the targeted destinations are struggling with poverty and instability, casting further doubt on the proposal.
Sudanese officials confirmed they had rejected the initiative outright, while Somali and Somaliland authorities told the Associated Press they were unaware of any such negotiations.
Trump’s plan envisions the permanent displacement of over two million Palestinians from Gaza, with the US assuming control of the territory, undertaking a large-scale cleanup operation, and developing it as a real estate project. What was once considered a fringe idea among Israel’s far-right nationalists has now been openly embraced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has called it a “bold vision.”
Palestinians in Gaza have dismissed the plan as forced expulsion, rejecting Israeli claims that any departures would be voluntary. Arab nations have strongly opposed the scheme, instead proposing a reconstruction plan that keeps Palestinians in Gaza. Human rights groups warn that coercing or forcing Palestinians to leave could amount to a war crime.
Despite international outcry, the White House insists Trump “stands by his vision.”
US and Israeli officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, confirmed outreach efforts to Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland. They did not specify how much progress had been made or at what level the talks were taking place.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Israel has been leading the negotiations, with US support, since Trump publicly floated the idea last month alongside Netanyahu. Washington and Tel Aviv are reportedly offering financial, diplomatic, and security incentives to persuade potential host countries—mirroring the approach used in the 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw several Arab nations normalize ties with Israel.
While the White House declined to comment on these efforts, Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a vocal proponent of what he calls “voluntary” Palestinian emigration, confirmed that Israel is actively working to identify countries willing to take in displaced Palestinians. He also revealed plans to establish a “very large emigration department” within Israel’s Defense Ministry.
The offices of Netanyahu and Ron Dermer, the Israeli Cabinet minister overseeing post-war planning, have remained silent on the matter.
As global opposition mounts, the fate of Gaza’s displaced population remains uncertain.