US and Israel Explore Africa for Resettling Palestinians Displaced from Gaza

Sajid Raza March 14, 2025

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The United States and Israel have reached out to officials in three East African nations to explore the possibility of resettling Palestinians displaced from the Gaza Strip. This is part of a plan proposed by former President Donald Trump after the conflict in Gaza. U.S. and Israeli officials have confirmed the contacts with Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somaliland, according to the Associated Press.

This move underscores the U.S. and Israel’s determination to push forward with a controversial plan that has been widely criticized due to its legal and moral implications. Given that all three regions are economically poor and, in some cases, plagued by violence, the proposal casts doubt on Trump’s vision of resettling Palestinians in a “beautiful area.”

Officials in Sudan have confirmed they rejected the proposal, while Somalia and Somaliland have stated they were unaware of any such discussions. Under the Trump administration’s plan, Gaza’s population of over 2 million would be permanently relocated. The proposal also includes U.S. oversight of Gaza’s territory, a long-term cleanup process, and developing the area as a real estate project.

The family of Fatima Al-Absi share Iftar, the fast-breaking meal, on the first day of Ramadan in their damaged apartment in Jabaliya, northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Initially considered a fringe idea by Israel’s ultranationalist groups, the proposal gained support after Trump introduced it at a White House meeting last month, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it a “bold vision.” However, Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the plan, and Arab nations have strongly opposed it, offering an alternative that leaves Palestinians in Gaza. Human rights groups warn that forcing or pressuring Palestinians to leave could constitute a war crime.

Despite the opposition, the White House has stated that Trump “stands by his vision.”

U.S. and Israeli officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed discussions with Somalia and Somaliland, with Sudan also being part of the outreach. However, it remains unclear how much progress has been made or the level of these discussions.

The outreach to these African nations began last month, shortly after Trump proposed the Gaza relocation plan. Israeli officials are leading these discussions, with both U.S. and Israeli governments offering various incentives such as financial support, technology, and diplomatic backing to these potential African partners.

The U.S. administration used similar tactics when brokering the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and four Arab nations.

The White House declined to comment on these efforts, as did the offices of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ron Dermer, a key figure in Israel’s postwar planning. However, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a long-time advocate of Palestinian emigration, confirmed that Israel is working on identifying countries to resettle Palestinians. He also mentioned that Israel is preparing a “large emigration department” within its Defense Ministry.

Sudan
Sudan was part of the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations with Israel in 2020. While this agreement lifted Sudan’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism, improving its access to international loans, relations with Israel have remained limited due to the country’s ongoing civil war. The U.S. and Israel have been unable to persuade Sudan’s government to consider the resettlement of Palestinians, with Sudanese officials rejecting the proposal outright.

Somaliland
Somaliland, which has declared itself independent from Somalia but is not recognized as such internationally, has been a subject of U.S. diplomatic efforts. An American official confirmed that the U.S. is in discreet talks with Somaliland over potential support in exchange for international recognition. However, Somaliland’s government has denied any discussions regarding the resettlement of Palestinians.

Somalia
Somalia, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed resettlement. Somali officials have denied any outreach from the U.S. or Israel regarding the relocation of Palestinians from Gaza. Given Somalia’s stance on Palestinian self-rule, it seems an unlikely destination for Palestinians, even if they were willing to move.

This diplomatic push by the U.S. and Israel underscores the ongoing global debate over the future of Palestinians displaced by the conflict in Gaza. The controversial plan has sparked strong reactions across the international community.