Israel is reportedly in advanced talks with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the East African nation, a move that has sparked international controversy and raised major humanitarian concerns. The discussions, confirmed by six sources familiar with the matter and reported by the Associated Press, form part of Israel’s broader effort to facilitate what it calls “voluntary migration” of Palestinians out of Gaza—a territory left devastated after a 22-month offensive against Hamas.
The idea of relocating Palestinians from Gaza is not new. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly expressed his desire to realize former U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of large-scale population transfer, telling i24, an Israeli TV station, “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.” While Netanyahu did not specifically mention South Sudan in that interview, multiple reports confirm that such talks are underway with the East African country, as well as with other nations including Sudan and Somalia (according to i24NEWS and AP).
Yet the prospect of moving people from one war-ravaged, hunger-stricken region to another has raised alarm bells among human rights groups, Palestinians, and much of the international community. They have roundly rejected the proposals, viewing them as a blueprint for forcible expulsion and a violation of international law. As reported by the Associated Press, Palestinians fear that if they leave Gaza, Israel will never allow them to return. The concern is that a mass exodus could pave the way for Israel to annex the territory and reestablish Jewish settlements, as advocated by far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government.
South Sudan, for its part, is hardly an ideal destination. The country of roughly 11 million people is still reeling from a brutal civil war that erupted after its independence in 2011, a conflict that killed nearly 400,000 people and left pockets of the nation in famine. Despite a peace deal reached seven years ago, the situation remains fragile. Earlier in 2025, the main opposition leader, Riek Machar, was placed under house arrest, reigniting fears of renewed conflict. The oil-rich nation is plagued by corruption and relies heavily on international aid to feed its population—a challenge exacerbated by sweeping cuts to foreign assistance made by the Trump administration, as highlighted by multiple sources including the AP and i24NEWS.
According to Joe Szlavik, founder of a U.S. lobbying firm working with South Sudan, he was briefed by South Sudanese officials on the ongoing talks. Szlavik told the Associated Press that an Israeli delegation is expected to visit South Sudan to explore the possibility of establishing makeshift camps for Palestinians, though no date for the visit has been set. He added that Israel would likely pay for the construction and operation of these temporary facilities. Four additional officials, including two from Egypt, confirmed the talks on the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has emerged as a vocal opponent of the resettlement proposals. Egyptian officials have been lobbying South Sudan against accepting Palestinians, fearing a domino effect that could lead to a surge of refugees into Egyptian territory. As noted by both the Associated Press and i24NEWS, Cairo’s stance is driven by deep-seated concerns about regional stability and the precedent such a transfer would set.
The United States, while reportedly aware of the discussions, has not taken a direct role, according to Szlavik. A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment on what they described as private diplomatic conversations, reiterating that visa decisions are made to uphold U.S. national security and immigration laws.
For South Sudan, the potential deal offers a chance to strengthen diplomatic ties with Israel and possibly gain favor with Washington. The Trump administration had previously pressured countries to facilitate deportations and had floated the idea of resettling Palestinians outside Gaza earlier in 2025, though it appears to have backed away from the plan in recent months. South Sudan, described by journalist Peter Martell as “cash-strapped” and in need of any ally or financial gain it can get, is also seeking the removal of U.S. travel bans and sanctions on some of its elites.
However, not everyone in South Sudan is convinced. Edmund Yakani, a prominent civil society leader, warned of the dangers of turning the country into a “dumping ground” or a pawn in international political maneuvering. He told the Associated Press, “South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people. And it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations.” Yakani also highlighted the potential for hostilities, given the historical tensions between South Sudan’s predominantly Christian and animist population and the Arab-Muslim north. “South Sudanese would need to know who is coming and how long they plan to stay, or there could be hostilities due to the historical issues with Muslims and Arabs,” he said.
Palestinians themselves are deeply skeptical. While some may wish to leave Gaza, at least temporarily, to escape the ongoing war and a hunger crisis bordering on famine, they overwhelmingly reject any notion of permanent resettlement. Gaza, for them, remains an integral part of their national homeland, and any forced departure is seen as a grave injustice.
Israel’s efforts to find a host country for Gaza’s population are not limited to South Sudan. The Associated Press previously reported on similar overtures to Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somaliland, though it remains unclear how far those talks have progressed. Historically, there are ties between Israel and South Sudan: Israel’s Mossad spy agency reportedly provided aid to South Sudanese rebels during their decades-long struggle for independence from Sudan, as detailed in Peter Martell’s book “First Raise a Flag.”
For now, the fate of the proposed resettlement remains uncertain. Israel’s Foreign Ministry has declined to comment, and South Sudan’s foreign minister has not responded to questions from reporters. The humanitarian risks for Palestinians are significant, with many facing the prospect of being transferred from one conflict zone to another. The international community, meanwhile, watches with concern as the talks continue behind closed doors, wary of the precedent such a move could set for future conflicts and forced migrations.
The unfolding story of potential Palestinian resettlement in South Sudan is a stark reminder of the complex web of politics, history, and human suffering that defines the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the fragile state of nations still healing from their own wounds.