Sources say South Sudan and Israel discussed relocating Palestinians from Gaza

South Sudan and Israel have held talks on a plan to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza in the African nation, three sources told Reuters, though Palestinian leaders have called the idea unacceptable.

The sources, who requested anonymity, said no agreement had been reached but discussions were ongoing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. The U.S. State Department declined to speak about what it called “private diplomatic conversations.”

Netanyahu has said he intends to extend military control in Gaza and has suggested that Palestinians leave voluntarily. Arab and world leaders have rejected any relocation, with Palestinians warning it would be another “Nakba” – a reference to the mass displacement of 1948.

The three sources said the relocation idea was raised during meetings between Israeli officials and South Sudanese Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba during his visit last month. That contradicts South Sudan’s foreign ministry, which has called earlier reports “baseless.” The ministry did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.

Wasel Abu Youssef of the Palestine Liberation Organization said Palestinians “reject any plan or idea to displace any of our people to South Sudan or to any other place.” President Mahmoud Abbas’ office issued a similar statement on Thursday. Hamas has not commented.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, visiting Juba this week, told reporters relocation was not discussed, saying talks covered foreign policy, multilateral organisations, South Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, and the war.

Netanyahu has said Israel is in contact with several countries to find destinations for Palestinians who want to leave Gaza, without providing details.

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