South Sudan Denies Agreements to Resettle Gazan Palestinians

South Sudan has consistently denied reports of agreements with Israel or the United States to resettle Palestinians displaced from Gaza, stressing no such plans or deals exist. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned talks with several countries, including South Sudan, about hosting Gazans, South Sudanese officials clarified that their engagements with Israel focused on agricultural, investment, and mining cooperation, not refugee resettlement. The African nation also rejected claims of a deal with the U.S. to accept third-country deportees, although it accepted eight deported migrants from the U.S. in a single bilateral arrangement in July. South Sudan faces significant internal challenges, including a recent rise in violence and warnings of potential renewed civil conflict since its 2018 civil war ended. Palestinian representatives and international observers have condemned any forced displacement plans, emphasizing opposition to resettling Palestinians outside their homeland. The denials from South Sudan come amid ongoing speculation and media reports about resettlement plans brokered by Israel, the U.S., and others, which have been firmly rejected by all involved South Sudanese authorities.