Israel in talks with war-torn South Sudan about taking in Gazans – The Times of Israel
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The Likud Central Committee is scheduled to vote this evening on a merger with the coalition’s New Hope party. The move will bring its chairman, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, back into the party five years after he quit over differences with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. New Hope joined the coalition last September and in March, Sa’ar signed an agreement to dissolve the faction into Lkud. According to a copy of the agreement cited by Hebrew media outlets, LKud will also cover roughly NIS 1.5 million ($409,000) of New Hope’S debt.
According to the Ynet outlet, Sa’ar’s return is opposed by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who reportedly views him as a potential rival within the party.
New Hope joined the coalition last September and in March, Sa’ar signed an agreement to dissolve the faction into Likud. Those decisions followed consistent polls showing his party would fail to clear the electoral threshold if it ran solo in the next election.
The Likud-New Hope agreement will require the scrapping of an August 2021 resolution barring members of New Hope from serving in Likud, the two parties said in a statement in March.
The statement added that once approved, New Hope’s roughly 2,400 members will be registered as Likud members and its lawmakers will be afforded similar status to other Likud MKs and ministers. According to a copy of the agreement cited by Hebrew media outlets, Likud will also cover roughly NIS 1.5 million ($409,000) of New Hope’s debt.
Sa’ar will also no longer be able to vote how he chooses on the coalition’s contentious legislation to overhaul the judicial system.
The Likud-New Hope statement said New Hope’s dissolution would take effect for the next election, currently scheduled to take place in 2026. In that election, the statement said, Sa’ar will choose a candidate to get the highest-ranked reserved spot on Likud’s electoral slate, which is mostly determined through a primary.
Ynet reported that Sa’ar will likely select Minister Ze’ev Elkin — a onetime Likud power player and Netanyahu confidant who left the party with Sa’ar in 2020 to found New Hope, after Sa’ar unsuccessfully challenged Netanyahu for Likud’s leadership.
Upon leaving Likud that year, Sa’ar said that the party had fostered “a cult of personality” around Netanyahu and become a “tool for the personal interests of the person in charge, including matters relating to his criminal trial.”
Israel in talks with war-torn South Sudan about taking in Gazans
Israel is in discussions with South Sudan about resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. It’s part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory. Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations. If implemented, the plans would amount to transferring people from one war-ravaged land with famine risks to another, and raise human rights concerns. Egypt is deeply opposed to plans to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza, with which it shares a border, fearing an influx of refugees into its own territory. It is also a potential inroad to US President Donald Trump, who broached the idea of resettled Gaza’s population in February but appears to have backed away in recent months. The US is aware of the discussions with Israel but is not directly involved, a U.S. lobbying firm working with South. Sudan says 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.
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 with famine risks to another, and raise human rights concerns.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to realize US President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population through what Netanyahu refers to as “voluntary migration.” Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations.
“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 your might against the enemy who remains there,” Netanyahu said Tuesday in an interview with i24, an Israeli TV station. He did not make reference to South Sudan.
Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law.
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For South Sudan, such a deal could help it build closer ties to Israel, now the almost unchallenged military power in the Middle East. It is also a potential inroad to Trump, who broached the idea of resettling Gaza’s population in February but appears to have backed away in recent months.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment and South Sudan’s foreign minister did not respond to questions about the talks. A US State Department spokesperson said it doesn’t comment on private diplomatic conversations.
Egypt opposes proposals to resettle Palestinians out of Gaza
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.
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Szlavik said Israel would likely pay for makeshift camps.
Edmund Yakani, who heads a South Sudanese civil society group, said he had also spoken to South Sudanese officials about the talks. Four additional officials with knowledge of the discussions confirmed talks were taking place on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them publicly.
Two of the officials, both from Egypt, told AP they’ve known for months about Israel’s efforts to find a country to accept Palestinians, including its contact with South Sudan. They said they’ve been lobbying South Sudan against taking the Palestinians.
Egypt is deeply opposed to plans to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza, with which it shares a border, fearing an influx of refugees into its own territory.
The AP previously reported on similar talks initiated by Israel and the US with Sudan and Somalia, countries that are also grappling with war and hunger, and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland. The status of those discussions is not known.
‘Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally’
Szlavik, who’s been hired by South Sudan to improve its relations with the United States, said the US is aware of the discussions with Israel but is not directly involved.
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South Sudan wants the Trump administration to lift a travel ban on the country and remove sanctions from some South Sudanese elites, said Szlavik. It has already accepted eight individuals swept up in the administration’s mass deportations, in what may have been an effort to curry favor.
The Trump administration has pressured a number of countries to help facilitate deportations.
“Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally, financial gain and diplomatic security it can get,” said Peter Martell, a journalist and author of a book about the country, “First Raise a Flag.”
Israel’s Mossad spy agency provided aid to the South Sudanese during their decades-long civil war against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum ahead of independence in 2011, according to the book.
The State Department, asked if there was any quid pro quo with South Sudan, said decisions on the issuing of visas are made “in a way that prioritizes upholding the highest standards for US national security, public safety, and the enforcement of our immigration laws.”
From one hunger-stricken conflict zone to another
Many Palestinians might want to leave Gaza, at least temporarily, to escape the war and a hunger crisis allegedly bordering on famine, which Israel has rejected. But they have roundly rejected any permanent resettlement from what they see as an integral part of their national homeland.
They fear that Israel will never allow them to return, and that a mass departure would allow it to annex Gaza and reestablish Jewish settlements there, as called for by far-right ministers in the Israeli government.
Still, even those Palestinians who want to leave are unlikely to take their chances in South Sudan, among the world’s most unstable and conflict-ridden countries.
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South Sudan has struggled to recover from a civil war that broke out after independence, and which killed nearly 400,000 people and plunged pockets of the country into famine. The oil-rich country is plagued by corruption and relies on international aid to help feed its 11 million people – a challenge that has only grown since the Trump administration made sweeping cuts to foreign assistance.
A peace deal reached seven years ago has been fragile and incomplete, and the threat of war returned when the main opposition leader was placed under house arrest this year.
Palestinians in particular could find themselves unwelcome. The long war for independence from Sudan pitted the mostly Christian and animist south against the predominantly Arab and Muslim north.
Yakani, of the civil society group, said South Sudanese would need to know who is coming and how long they plan to stay, or there could be hostilities due to the “historical issues with Muslims and Arabs.”
“South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people,” he said. “And it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations.”
Israel in talks with South Sudan to resettle Palestinians from Gaza, sources say
Israel is reportedly in discussions with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from Gaza to the war-torn East African country. It is part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by the 22-month offensive against Hamas. Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law. South Sudan has struggled to recover from a civil war that broke out after independence, and which killed nearly 400,000 people and plunged pockets of the country into famine. The oil-rich country is plagued by corruption and relies on international aid to help feed its 11 million people, a challenge that has only grown since the Trump administration made sweeping cuts to foreign assistance. Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment and South Sudan’s foreign minister did not respond to questions about the talks. A US State Department spokesperson said it doesn’t comment on private diplomatic conversations.
Six people familiar with the matter confirmed to the AP news agency that talks have taken place, although it is unclear how far they have advanced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to realise US President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population through what Netanyahu refers to as “voluntary migration.”
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Israel has floated similarly resettlement proposals with other African nations, including Sudan and Somalia.
Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law.
An aerial photograph taken by a drone shows tents amidst the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, 29 January, 2025 – AP Photo
Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment and South Sudan’s foreign minister did not respond to questions about the talks.
A US State Department spokesperson said it doesn’t comment on private diplomatic conversations.
Opposition to resettlement
Joe Szlavik, the founder of a US lobbying firm working with South Sudan, said he was briefed by South Sudanese officials on the talks.
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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 and Israel did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the visit. Szlavik said Israel would likely pay for makeshift camps.
Edmund Yakani, who heads a South Sudanese civil society group, said he had also spoken to South Sudanese officials about the talks.
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Four additional officials with knowledge of the discussions confirmed talks were taking place on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss them publicly.
Two of the officials, both from Egypt, told AP they’ve known for months about Israel’s efforts to find a country to accept Palestinians, including its contact with South Sudan. They said they’ve been lobbying South Sudan against taking the Palestinians.
Egypt is deeply opposed to plans to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza, with which it shares a border, fearing an influx of refugees into its own territory.
From one conflict zone to another
Many Palestinians may want to temporarily leave Gaza to escape the war and a hunger crisis bordering on famine.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
But they have roundly rejected any permanent resettlement from what they see as an integral part of their national homeland.
They fear that Israel will never allow them to return and that a mass departure would allow it to annex Gaza and re-establish Jewish settlements there, as called for by far-right ministers in the Israeli government.
South Sudanese sit outside a nutrition clinic at a transit centre in Renk, 16 May, 2023 – AP Photo
Still, even those Palestinians who want to leave are unlikely to want to go to South Sudan, among the world’s most unstable and conflict-ridden countries.
South Sudan has struggled to recover from a civil war that broke out after independence, and which killed nearly 400,000 people and plunged pockets of the country into famine.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
The oil-rich country is plagued by corruption and relies on international aid to help feed its 11 million people, a challenge that has only grown since the Trump administration made sweeping cuts to foreign assistance.
A peace deal reached seven years ago has been fragile and incomplete and the threat of war returned when the main opposition leader Riek Machar was placed under house arrest earlier this year.
A Fogbow aid plane is loaded at an airport in Juba, 9 June, 2025 – AP Photo
Palestinians in particular could find themselves unwelcome. The long war for independence from Sudan pitted the mostly Christian and animist south against the predominantly Arab and Muslim north.
Yakani, of the civil society group, said South Sudanese would need to know who is coming and how long they plan to stay, or there could be hostilities due to the “historical issues with Muslims and Arabs.”
“South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people,” he said. “And it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations.”
Israel is in talks to possibly resettle Palestinians from Gaza in South Sudan
Israel is in discussions with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians. If implemented, the plans would amount to transferring people from one war-ravaged land at risk of famine to another. Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations. South Sudan wants the Trump administration to lift a travel ban on the country and remove sanctions from some South Sudanese elites, said a U.S. lobbying firm founder. It is also a potential inroad to Trump, who broached the idea of resettleling Gaza’s population in February but appears to have backed away in recent months. The talks are part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by its 22-month offensive against Hamas. The AP previously reported on similar talks initiated by Israel and the U.N. with Sudan and Somalia, countries that are also grappling with war and hunger, and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland. The status of those discussions is not known.
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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to realize U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population through what Netanyahu refers to as “voluntary migration.” Israel has floated similar resettlement proposals with other African nations.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
“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 your might against the enemy who remains there,” Netanyahu said Tuesday in an interview with i24, and Israeli TV station. He did not make reference to South Sudan.
Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law.
For South Sudan, such a deal could help it build closer ties to Israel, now the almost unchallenged military power in the Middle East. It is also a potential inroad to Trump, who broached the idea of resettling Gaza’s population in February but appears to have backed away in recent months.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment and South Sudan’s foreign minister did not respond to questions about the talks. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said it doesn’t comment on private diplomatic conversations.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Egypt opposes proposals to resettle Palestinians out of Gaza
Joe Szlavik, the founder of a U.S. 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.
Szlavik said Israel would likely pay for makeshift camps.
Edmund Yakani, who heads a South Sudanese civil society group, said he had also spoken to South Sudanese officials about the talks. Four additional officials with knowledge of the discussions confirmed talks were taking place on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss them publicly.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Two of the officials, both from Egypt, told AP they’ve known for months about Israel’s efforts to find a country to accept Palestinians, including its contact with South Sudan. They said they’ve been lobbying South Sudan against taking the Palestinians.
Egypt is deeply opposed to plans to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza, with which it shares a border, fearing an influx of refugees into its own territory.
The AP previously reported on similar talks initiated by Israel and the U.S. with Sudan and Somalia, countries that are also grappling with war and hunger, and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland. The status of those discussions is not known.
‘Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally’
Advertisement Advertisement
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Szlavik, who’s been hired by South Sudan to improve its relations with the United States, said the U.S. is aware of the discussions with Israel but is not directly involved.
South Sudan wants the Trump administration to lift a travel ban on the country and remove sanctions from some South Sudanese elites, said Szlavik. It has already accepted eight individuals swept up in the administration’s mass deportations, in what may have been an effort to curry favor.
The Trump administration has pressured a number of countries to help facilitate deportations.
“Cash-strapped South Sudan needs any ally, financial gain and diplomatic security it can get,” said Peter Martell, a journalist and author of a book about the country, “First Raise a Flag.”
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Israel’s Mossad spy agency provided aid to the South Sudanese during their decades-long civil war against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum ahead of independence in 2011, according to the book.
The State Department, asked if there was any quid pro quo with South Sudan, said decisions on the issuing of visas are made “in a way that prioritizes upholding the highest standards for U.S. national security, public safety, and the enforcement of our immigration laws.”
From one hunger-stricken conflict zone to another
Many Palestinians might want to leave Gaza, at least temporarily, to escape the war and a hunger crisis bordering on famine. But they have roundly rejected any permanent resettlement from what they see as an integral part of their national homeland.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
They fear that Israel will never allow them to return, and that a mass departure would allow it to annex Gaza and reestablish Jewish settlements there, as called for by far-right ministers in the Israeli government.
Still, even those Palestinians who want to leave are unlikely to take their chances in South Sudan, among the world’s most unstable and conflict-ridden countries.
South Sudan has struggled to recover from a civil war that broke out after independence, and which killed nearly 400,000 people and plunged pockets of the country into famine. The oil-rich country is plagued by corruption and relies on international aid to help feed its 11 million people – a challenge that has only grown since the Trump administration made sweeping cuts to foreign assistance.
A peace deal reached seven years ago has been fragile and incomplete, and the threat of war returned when the main opposition leader was placed under house arrest this year.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Palestinians in particular could find themselves unwelcome. The long war for independence from Sudan pitted the mostly Christian and animist south against the predominantly Arab and Muslim north.
Yakani, of the civil society group, said South Sudanese would need to know who is coming and how long they plan to stay, or there could be hostilities due to the “historical issues with Muslims and Arabs.”
“South Sudan should not become a dumping ground for people,” he said. “And it should not accept to take people as negotiating chips to improve relations.”
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Associated Press reporters Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C. and Samy Magdy in Cairo, Egypt, contributed
___
Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war