South Sudan refutes reports on Palestinian resettlement talks with Israel

The Government of South Sudan has firmly refuted claims that it is engaged in discussions with the state of Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian Nationals in the country.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the claims are baseless and not a reflection of the official position or policy of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan.

"The Ministry urges all media outlets to exercise due diligence and verify information through official channels before publication," the statement adds.

An earlier report by the AP, citing sources familiar with the discussions, had reported that the move was part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by its 22-month offensive against Hamas.

"Six people familiar with the matter confirmed the talks to The Associated Press. It's unclear how far the talks have advanced, but if implemented, the plans would amount to transferring people from one war-ravaged land at risk of famine to another, and raise human rights concerns," the news agency reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier hinted that he wants to realise US President Donald Trump's vision of relocating much of Gaza's population through "voluntary migration."

Israel has reportedly floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations, including Somalia, Egypt, and even Indonesia in Southeast Asia.

"I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all you might against the enemy who remains there," Netanyahu said Tuesday in an interview with i24, an Israeli TV station.

Palestinians and human rights groups have largely rejected the proposal of Israel to remove Gazans from their homeland in violation of international law.

Egypt has since opposed proposals to resettle Palestinians out of Gaza, with which it shares a border, fearing an influx of refugees into its own territory.

According to the AP, Joe Szlavik, the founder of a US lobbying firm working with South Sudan, said he was briefed by South Sudanese officials on the talks.

"He said an Israeli delegation plans to visit the country to look into the possibility of setting up camps for Palestinians there. No known date has been set for the visit. Israel did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the visit," the agency added in its report.

Some of the concerns raised against the move are that the countries being looked at for resettling Palestinians are that the nations are also grappling with war and hunger, and thus should not be burdened with more issues.

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