What is Netanyahu planning?: Insider: Israel talks with South Sudan about Palestinian resettlement

What is Netanyahu planning? Insider: Israel talks with South Sudan about Palestinian resettlement. August 16, 2025, 9:15 a.m.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has a simple solution to the Middle East conflict: The Palestinians should leave the Gaza Strip – voluntarily. Where should they go? Among other places, to South Sudan, according to three insiders. They say: Talks are ongoing at the government level.

According to insiders, South Sudan and Israel are discussing an agreement to resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in the troubled African country. There is no agreement yet, but talks are ongoing, say three insiders. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Israeli government is also holding similar talks with the civil war-torn countries of Libya and Syria . Tel Aviv, along with the US government, is also reportedly putting pressure on Egypt to accept Palestinians.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Netanyahu recently said he wanted to expand military control in the Gaza Strip and that Palestinians should leave the territory voluntarily.

Leading Arab and international politicians oppose the relocation of Gaza's population—to any country. On Wednesday, the South Sudanese Foreign Ministry dismissed reports of such a relocation as "unfounded." The prospect of such a relocation has met with mixed reactions among residents of the East African country.

"Fruitful bilateral talks"

Netanyahu met with South Sudanese Foreign Minister Monday Semaya Kumba in July. The Israeli prime minister stated at the time that Israel was in contact with several countries to find a place for Palestinians seeking to leave the Gaza Strip. During the week, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel met with the foreign minister in South Sudan.

There were "fruitful bilateral discussions" between Haskel and Kumba, which also addressed the "development of the situation in the State of Israel," according to a government statement on Wednesday. Both sides emphasized their willingness to "further strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the future."

Strengthening cooperation

According to his office, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir also met with Haskel for talks about strengthening cooperation in several areas. Israel offered the country "new opportunities" in the oil and gas industry, mining, and agriculture, among others, to attract foreign investors, the presidential office stated.

Haskel, for her part, described the visit as an "expression of friendship and solidarity between the two nations." She announced an aid package containing food and medical supplies.