A delegation is expected to visit the war-torn African country to explore the possibility of setting up camps for Palestinians.
The damage to infrastructure in Gaza has led international organizations to question whether the displacement can be considered voluntary.
Israel is in talks with South Sudan to relocate Gaza residents to the war-torn African country, according to sources.
An Israeli delegation is expected to visit South Sudan to explore the possibility of setting up camps for Palestinians, the Associated Press reported, following a visit to Israel by South Sudan's deputy foreign minister last week.
Israel has been repeatedly criticized for raising the idea of displacing Gazans from their homeland, citing fears of ethnic cleansing. Sending them from one land ravaged by war and famine to another would only exacerbate that concern.
News of the possible agreement with South Sudan was released after Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Israeli television, where he revived the discussion on the displacement of civilians from Gaza.
This idea was first proposed by former US President Donald Trump in February, who said the population should be removed and Gaza fully rebuilt - part of what he imagined as a "riviera" in the Middle East.
The Israeli government has mentioned the idea of relocation, but has always stated that it must be voluntary.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has prompted discussions about the displacement of civilians.
“They should be given the opportunity to leave, first from the fighting zones, and generally from the territory, if they want,” Netanyahu said on Tuesday, without mentioning South Sudan.
He compared the situation to Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan, countries that have experienced large exodus due to war.
Many foreign countries and international organizations have warned against this plan, questioning whether the relocation can truly be voluntary, considering the catastrophic damage to infrastructure and the extreme humanitarian situation.
They also expressed fears that voluntarily displaced Palestinians would not be allowed to return, referring to statements by Netanyahu's ultra-nationalist partners, who have called for the return of Jewish settlements in Gaza.
A feature of the recent Operation Gideon's Chariot has been the large-scale destruction of residential buildings, and it is very likely that the same tactic will be used in the expected offensive in Gaza City.
The forced displacement of a population can be considered a war crime.
The Associated Press reported that several sources have confirmed current talks between Israel and South Sudan.
Joe Szlavik, founder of a US lobbying firm working on South Sudan, also confirmed that he had been briefed by Sudanese officials about these talks. He said an Israeli delegation plans to visit the country to review the feasibility of setting up camps.
Sharren Haskel, Israel’s deputy foreign minister, is currently visiting the African country — the first official visit by an Israeli government representative. In a statement, she said: “While the international community is focused solely on Gaza, South Sudan is facing a real humanitarian crisis and the threat of mass starvation.”
The most obvious destinations
As neighbors with formal relations with Israel, Egypt and Jordan would be the most natural destinations for any Palestinians leaving. However, both countries have steadfastly opposed any such plan, despite intense pressure from Trump.
Israel is said to have held talks with Indonesia, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Somaliland about the possibility of accepting Palestinians from Gaza, but these efforts have reportedly not yielded results.
South Sudan is in desperate need of foreign funds to rebuild the country after many years of insecurity and war with neighboring Sudan.
They have reportedly received assistance from the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, during their civil war with Khartoum.
Sources said that any camp for displaced Palestinians would be funded by Israel.
Inevitable emigration
South Sudan also strongly wants Trump to lift the US travel ban on their country.
Egypt is said to have pressured South Sudan not to cooperate with Israel on this plan.
In recent months, Trump has expressed confidence in the realization of his "Riviera" project, while currently it appears that his administration prefers an interim Arab administration for Gaza, once the war ends.
Shany Mor, former director of foreign policy at Israel's National Security Council, now a lecturer at Reichman University, said that a certain degree of emigration is inevitable.
"When this war ends, Gaza will be in such a dire state that it is impossible to imagine how it will begin to recover without a major migration, even if temporary," he said.
"It will not be the official goal of the Arab administration, but it will happen, perhaps on a limited but significant scale."
The promise for Palestine
Mor said he believes the possibility of Israel implementing a resettlement scheme with South Sudan is "extremely unlikely."
Israel's international reputation has taken a severe blow in recent weeks due to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Britain, France and some of Israel's key allies have pledged to recognise Palestine - a move that has been called a "reward for terrorism".
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on Wednesday that Netanyahu had "lost his mind", describing the planned invasion of Gaza City as "completely unacceptable".
Meanwhile, the UN has put Israel and Russia on "notice" over allegations of sexual violence related to the conflict.
Source: The Telegraph
