TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel is currently in discussions with South Sudan regarding the potential resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. This initiative is part of Israel's broader strategy to facilitate mass emigration from Gaza, which has been severely impacted by a 22-month military offensive against Hamas. Six sources familiar with the negotiations confirmed these talks.

The extent of the discussions remains unclear. If realized, the plan would involve relocating individuals from one conflict-ridden area facing famine to another, raising significant human rights concerns. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed a desire to implement a vision previously proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which involves what Netanyahu describes as "voluntary migration" of Gaza's population. Israel has also considered similar resettlement options with other African nations.

In a recent interview, Netanyahu stated, "I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there." However, he did not specifically mention South Sudan during the interview.

The proposals have faced strong opposition from Palestinians, human rights organizations, and much of the international community, who view them as a potential violation of international law and a means of forced expulsion. For South Sudan, engaging in such a deal could strengthen its ties with Israel, which is currently a dominant military force in the Middle East. Additionally, it may provide a pathway to re-engage with Trump, who initially suggested resettling Gaza's population earlier this year but has since appeared to retreat from the idea.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has declined to comment on the discussions, and South Sudan's foreign minister has not responded to inquiries. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated that it does not comment on private diplomatic discussions.

Joe Szlavik, a U.S. lobbyist working with South Sudan, reported being briefed by South Sudanese officials about the talks. He indicated that an Israeli delegation is expected to visit South Sudan to explore the possibility of establishing camps for Palestinians, although no date for the visit has been confirmed. Szlavik noted that Israel would likely finance the makeshift camps.

Edmund Yakani, a leader of a South Sudanese civil society group, also confirmed discussions with South Sudanese officials. Four additional anonymous sources corroborated the existence of the talks, citing restrictions on public disclosure. Two Egyptian officials revealed they have been aware of Israel's attempts to find a host country for Palestinians, including outreach to South Sudan, and have been lobbying against such plans.

Egypt has expressed strong opposition to the resettlement proposals, fearing an influx of refugees into its territory due to its shared border with Gaza. Previous reports have indicated that Israel and the U.S. have also engaged in discussions with Sudan and Somalia regarding similar resettlement efforts, although the status of those talks remains uncertain.

Szlavik mentioned that the U.S. is aware of the discussions but is not directly involved. South Sudan is seeking to improve its relations with the U.S., hoping to lift a travel ban and remove sanctions on certain South Sudanese officials. The country has already accepted eight individuals affected by U.S. deportation policies, possibly as a gesture to strengthen ties.

Peter Martell, a journalist and author, noted that South Sudan is in need of allies for financial and diplomatic support. Historically, Israel's Mossad agency provided assistance to South Sudan during its civil war against the Sudanese government prior to its independence in 2011.

Many Palestinians may be inclined to leave Gaza temporarily to escape ongoing violence and a looming hunger crisis. However, they largely reject the idea of permanent resettlement, viewing Gaza as an integral part of their homeland. Concerns persist that such a mass departure could facilitate Israel's annexation of Gaza and the establishment of Jewish settlements, as suggested by some far-right Israeli officials.

Even those Palestinians who wish to leave are likely hesitant to consider South Sudan, which is among the world's most unstable nations. The country has struggled to recover from a civil war that resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths and has faced ongoing famine. South Sudan is also plagued by corruption and heavily relies on international aid to support its population of 11 million.

The fragile peace deal established seven years ago remains incomplete, and tensions have escalated following the house arrest of the main opposition leader this year. Yakani emphasized that South Sudanese citizens would need clarity on the identities and intentions of any incoming Palestinians to avoid potential hostilities, given historical tensions between Muslims and Arabs in the region. He stated, "South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people, and it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations."