The government of South Sudan on Wednesday rejected media reports claiming it was holding talks with Israel on a plan to resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, calling the allegation “baseless.”
The denial came in response to an Associated Press report published Tuesday, citing six sources who alleged that discussions were underway between the two countries over a potential resettlement arrangement.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said, “The Republic of South Sudan categorically denies recent media reports. These claims are unfounded and do not reflect the official position or policy of the government.”
According to AP, the proposed relocation was described as part of Israel’s broader push for what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has termed “voluntary migration” from the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave. The report also suggested such an agreement could help South Sudan strengthen ties with Israel and the United States.
The agency noted that, at the time of publication, Israel’s Foreign Ministry had declined to comment, and South Sudan’s foreign minister had not responded to questions.
Juba’s statement urged media outlets to “exercise caution and verify information through official channels before publishing.”
The AP report also raised humanitarian concerns over any plan to move Gaza’s population to South Sudan, a country that has itself endured years of civil war and political instability.
