Fri Mar 14 11:19:15 UTC 2025: ## US and Israel Seek East African Nations for Palestinian Resettlement Amid Outrage

**NAIROBI, Kenya** – The United States and Israel are reportedly attempting to secure agreements with Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland to resettle Palestinians displaced from the Gaza Strip under a controversial plan proposed by former President Donald Trump. This initiative, revealed by anonymous US and Israeli officials speaking to the Associated Press, has sparked widespread condemnation from Palestinians, Arab nations, and human rights groups.

Trump’s plan calls for the permanent relocation of Gaza’s more than two million residents, with the US taking control of the territory for redevelopment. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded the proposal, Palestinians have vehemently rejected it, labeling it as forced displacement. Arab nations have similarly voiced strong opposition, offering an alternative reconstruction plan that would keep Palestinians in Gaza.

The outreach to East African nations, which began last month, has reportedly encountered significant resistance. Sudanese officials have confirmed rejecting overtures from the US, while officials in Somalia and Somaliland deny any knowledge of such contacts. The proposed resettlement locations raise concerns, given the poverty and ongoing conflict in these regions, directly contradicting Trump’s claim of providing Palestinians with a “beautiful area.”

The US and Israel are reportedly leveraging a combination of financial incentives, diplomatic support, and security cooperation to encourage participation, mirroring the strategy employed in brokering the Abraham Accords. However, the prospect of relocating Palestinians to countries struggling with internal conflicts and lacking sufficient resources faces significant ethical and logistical challenges. Human rights organizations warn that forced displacement could constitute a war crime.

While the White House remains silent on the matter, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed that Israel is actively working to identify countries willing to accept Palestinians and is establishing a large emigration department within the Defense Ministry. The long-term implications and the likelihood of success for this initiative remain highly uncertain given the widespread international opposition and the rejection by the targeted nations.

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