AP reports that the U.S. and Israel are exploring options in Africa for resettling Palestinians from Gaza

The United States and Israel have reached out to officials in Sudan, Somalia, and the autonomous region of Somaliland to explore the possibility of using their land for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza, as reported by the Associated Press on Friday, citing U.S. and Israeli sources.

Sudanese officials have rejected the U.S. proposal, while representatives from Somalia and Somaliland stated they were not aware of any such discussions, according to AP.

The White House and the U.S. State Department did not provide immediate comments to Reuters’ inquiries. Additionally, the information ministers of Somalia and Somaliland did not respond to phone calls from Reuters seeking their input. Sudan’s foreign ministry, which is currently grappling with a severe civil war that has displaced 12 million citizens and led to widespread famine, also did not respond promptly to requests for comment.

Earlier this month, Arab leaders endorsed a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza proposed by Egypt, aimed at preventing the displacement of Palestinians from the region, contrasting with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of a “Middle East Riviera.” This plan was supported by leaders from both Sudan and Somalia.

Trump had previously suggested a U.S. takeover of the Gaza Strip for reconstruction efforts, following earlier proposals that implied the permanent displacement of Palestinians. His plan heightened longstanding fears among Palestinians about being forcibly removed from their homes and faced significant international backlash.

On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched attacks on southern Israeli communities, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In retaliation, Israel initiated a military offensive that has reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, as per health officials in Gaza.