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US denies plan to relocate Gazans to Libya

NBC had reported on a proposal to let a million Palestinians move.

People hold PLO flags as they rally in support of Palestinians at Algeria Square in Tripoli, Libya, on March 18, 2025. Photo by Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images.
People hold PLO flags as they rally in support of Palestinians at Algeria Square in Tripoli, Libya, on March 18, 2025. Photo by Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images.

The U.S. embassy in Tripoli has categorically denied reports alleging that Washington is working on a plan to relocate up to one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya.

The denial came in response to an article last week by NBC News, which cited multiple sources claiming the Trump administration had explored a proposal involving negotiations with Libyan officials. The plan allegedly included the release of frozen Libyan funds in exchange for absorbing Palestinian refugees from Gaza.

“The report of alleged plans to relocate Gazans to Libya is untrue,” the embassy said in a statement posted to X early Sunday.

The NBC News report noted that the idea was discussed within the Trump administration as part of broader postwar planning efforts, but emphasized that there is no indication the plan is currently being pursued.

JNS reached out to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which replied that it is “not offering comment on the report.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has previously floated ideas of relocating Palestinians to other countries in the region, such as Egypt and Jordan. These suggestions were met with strong international opposition, including from Arab states and the United Nations.

During a recent appearance in Doha, Trump reiterated his vision of rebuilding Gaza into a “freedom zone,” having previously suggested a future where it could become the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

As of publication time, the internationally recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli has not commented on the matter.

Joshua Marks is a news editor on the Jerusalem desk at JNS.org, where he covers Jewish affairs, the Middle East and global news.
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