The Associated Press reported on Friday, citing US and Israeli officials, that the United States and Israel have been in contact with officials from three East African countries to discuss the possibility of using their territories for the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza.
According to the sources, discussions were held with officials from Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somaliland regarding the proposal.
Earlier this month, Arab leaders, including the leaders of Sudan and Somalia, agreed to an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, valued at $53 billion. This plan is seen as a potential alternative to the mass displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, which contrasts with former US President Donald Trump’s vision of turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Trump had suggested that the United States take control of Gaza for its reconstruction, after previously proposing the permanent displacement of its inhabitants.
The agency also reported that Sudanese officials said they rejected the US proposal, while officials from Somalia and Somaliland stated that they were unaware of any communication on this matter.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated, “No one is going to expel any Palestinian from Gaza.”
This statement was made during a press conference in Washington last Wednesday with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
When asked about his plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza, Trump replied, “No one is expelling any Palestinian from Gaza.”
Since January 25, Trump has been promoting a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan, a plan that has been rejected by these countries, joined by other Arab and European nations as well as regional and international organizations.
In contrast, Arab countries agreed during an emergency summit held in Cairo on March 4 to reject any attempts to rebuild Gaza through the displacement of its population under any name or conditions.
The Arab plan includes the formation of a “Gaza Administration Committee” to manage the affairs of the Strip during a transitional period of six months. This committee is to be independent and composed of non-partisan “technocrats” working under the umbrella of the Palestinian government.
