South Sudan has denied holding discussions with Israel over the potential “resettlement” of Palestinians from Gaza in the East African country. The claim comes despite reports from six people familiar with the matter, citing an Israeli proposal to forcibly transfer Palestinian residents from Gaza to South Sudan.
Human rights groups have warned that such a move would violate international law and amount to forcible expulsion, ethnic cleansing. Critics fear Palestinians would never be allowed to return to Gaza, paving the way for Israel to annex the enclave and re-establish settlements there.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously proposed “voluntary migration” for parts of Gaza’s population, a policy linked to statements by US President Donald Trump. The proposal has been met with opposition from Egypt, which fears a refugee influx into its territory.
South Sudan, already struggling with a civil war and famine, hosts a large refugee population from neighboring conflicts. Civil society leaders have urged the country not to become a “dumping ground” for people and to prioritize its own recovery over foreign interests.
The US has previously pressured several countries to accept deportations, and South Sudan has taken in eight individuals removed from the US under the administration’s mass deportation policy. However, the South Sudanese government firmly denies holding talks with Israel on the resettlement of Palestinians, stating that claims are “baseless” and do not reflect its official position or policy.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/13/israel-south-sudan-in-talks-over-forced-transfer-of-palestinians-report