The Government of South Sudan has strongly denied reports that it is in negotiations with Israel to resettle Palestinian nationals from the Gaza Strip within its borders.
In a press statement issued Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the allegations as “baseless and unfounded,” emphasizing that no such discussions have taken place with the Israeli government.
The statement comes in response to a report by i24 News, which cited unnamed sources claiming that Israel was exploring relocation options for Palestinians and had approached South Sudan as a potential host country.
The Associated Press also referenced the claims, suggesting that such a deal could strengthen Juba’s diplomatic ties with both Israel and the United States.
However, South Sudan’s foreign ministry firmly rejected the assertions, saying:
“The Government of South Sudan has not held any talks with the State of Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian nationals. There is no policy or agreement in place to that effect.”
The ministry also called on local, regional, and international media to verify information through official channels before publication, warning against the spread of misinformation.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, maintains diplomatic relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
But officials stressed that the country, still recovering from years of civil war and facing ongoing humanitarian crises—including widespread poverty, famine, and displacement—is in no position to absorb refugees from another conflict zone.
The idea of relocating Palestinians from Gaza has been publicly floated in recent years, particularly under former U.S. President Donald Trump, who proposed “voluntary migration” to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently echoed similar sentiments.
However, such proposals have drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders, human rights groups, and members of the international community, who argue that forcibly transferring civilians out of Gaza would violate international law and amount to forced population displacement.
For now, South Sudan has reiterated its neutrality in the matter and reaffirmed its commitment to non-alignment in international conflicts.
