The U.S. and Israel are exploring Syria to relocate Gaza’s residents, with no current response from Syria. Previous discussions included Sudan and Somalia, though Sudan rejected resettling. These considerations stem from Trump’s February announcement to rebuild Gaza, previously linked to Egypt, which faced strong opposition.
Recent reporting by CBS News indicates that the United States and Israel are contemplating Syria as a potential location for resettling approximately two million residents of Gaza. This consideration follows communication initiated by the Trump administration with the interim Syrian government through a third party. Nonetheless, a senior official from Syria stated that no discussions regarding this matter have taken place with either the U.S. or Israel.
Additionally, prior reports from the Associated Press highlighted that the U.S. was also exploring options in East African nations like Sudan, Somalia, and the unrecognized Somaliland for relocating displaced Gazans, although Sudan has reportedly turned down this proposition. These discussions emerge in the wake of President Trump’s announcement in February aimed at relocating Gaza’s residents to facilitate the rebuilding of the region, heavily impacted by the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.
At a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the idea of relocating Gazans was supported. However, President Trump had initially proposed Egypt as a destination, which was met with strong opposition from Egyptian authorities. This led to broader pan-Arab efforts advocating for a reconstruction plan for Gaza that would not necessitate the displacement of its inhabitants. Notably, the relationship between Israel and Syria remains strained following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, complicating the dynamics surrounding this resettlement discussion.
The U.S. and Israel are considering Syria as a potential relocation site for displaced Gazans amidst ongoing conflict in the region. The dialogue follows President Trump’s commitment to rebuilding Gaza, though initial plans for relocation to Egypt were rejected. While there are ongoing discussions involving East African nations as alternatives, the lack of response from Syria further complicates the situation. Thus, the interaction between the U.S., Israel, and Syria reflects the complexities of regional geopolitics related to the Gaza conflict.
Original Source: themedialine.org
