US and Israel Explore Palestinian Resettlement in Sudan and Somalia
US and Israeli officials have approached Sudan and Somalia to discuss resettling Palestinians, but Sudan rejected the proposal while Somalia denied any knowledge of the talks. In parallel, Arab leaders adopted a $53 billion plan for Gaza aimed at reconstruction without displacing its residents, opposing Trump’s earlier suggestions of a US takeover. The situation escalated following Hamas’s raid into Israel that initiated further military actions in Gaza.
Recent reports indicate that officials from the United States and Israel have explored options to resettle Palestinians in Sudan and Somalia. According to the Associated Press, discussions were initiated with representatives from these nations; however, Sudanese officials swiftly rejected the proposal. Additionally, officials from Somalia and Somaliland claimed they were unaware of any such contacts.
The White House and the US State Department have yet to respond to inquiries regarding these developments. Furthermore, attempts by Reuters to obtain comments from the information ministers of Somalia and Somaliland were unsuccessful due to failure in reaching them by phone.
Earlier in the month, Arab leaders endorsed an extensive $53 billion reconstruction initiative aimed at Gaza that seeks to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians. This initiative stands in stark contrast to former President Donald Trump’s notion for a “Middle East Riviera” which included a proposal for a US-managed Gaza.
President Trump’s plan, which suggested the permanent displacement of Palestinians, heightened fears among the Palestinian population regarding their homeland. It faced widespread international disapproval particularly in light of severe military actions that have occurred in Gaza over the past 17 months, resulting in numerous casualties.
The situation escalated on October 7, 2023, when the militant organization Hamas launched a cross-border raid into Israeli territory, prompting a substantial Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip, further complicating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The exploration by the US and Israel to resettle Palestinians in Sudan and Somalia has encountered immediate rejection from Sudanese officials, and a lack of acknowledgment from Somali representatives. Meanwhile, substantial financial commitments by Arab leaders aim to reconstruct Gaza without displacing its inhabitants. Trump’s previous proposals have only intensified fears among Palestinians regarding permanent displacement, continuing to generate international condemnation amidst ongoing violence in the region.
Original Source: www.odt.co.nz
