Overview

• Six sources told the Associated Press that Israel held talks with South Sudan’s government about resettling Gaza residents, though details and progress remain unverified.
• South Sudan’s foreign ministry issued a formal denial, calling the reports baseless and stating it holds no policy to accept Palestinians from Gaza.
• Israel’s Security Cabinet approved in March the creation of a directorate within the Defense Ministry to facilitate voluntary emigration of noncombatants from Gaza.
• Egyptian officials lobbied South Sudan against any resettlement deal, while the U.S. State Department declined to comment on private diplomatic discussions.
• United Nations reports warn that South Sudan’s chronic violence, risk of civil conflict and severe food insecurity would make it an unsafe destination for displaced Gazans.