The U.S. and Israel are considering Syria to relocate Gaza’s residents. There is no confirmation from the Syrian government, and Sudan has rejected a similar proposal. The plans arise from Trump’s intent to rebuild Gaza while facing opposition from Egypt and ongoing tensions with Syria.
The United States and Israel are reportedly contemplating Syria as a potential location for relocating approximately two million residents of Gaza, according to a report by CBS News. An anonymous U.S. official noted that the Trump administration had reached out to the interim Syrian government through a third party for discussions regarding this matter. However, no response from Syria has been reported, and a senior Syrian official stated he was unaware of any such discussions with the U.S. or Israel.
In addition to Syria, the U.S. has also considered East African nations, including Sudan and Somalia, and the unrecognized country of Somaliland, as possible destinations for displaced Gazans. However, Sudan is reported to have rejected this resettlement request. These considerations come in the wake of President Trump’s announcement to remove Gaza’s residents to rebuild the war-torn territory during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who supports this initiative.
Initially, President Trump proposed that displaced Palestinians might be relocated to Egypt; however, Egypt opposed this suggestion. Consequently, pan-Arab efforts have been initiated to offer alternative plans for Gaza’s reconstruction that do not involve the displacement of its inhabitants. It is noteworthy that relations between Israel and Syria have deteriorated significantly since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, with Israel expressing apprehension regarding the new interim government and maintaining military control over portions of southern Syria to counter Iranian and Hezbollah influences.
In summary, the United States and Israel are examining Syria as a potential location for relocating the residents of Gaza amidst ongoing efforts to rebuild the area. While discussions have reportedly occurred, responses from Syrian officials have been unresponsive. Furthermore, alternative resettlement options have been explored in East Africa, but those have also met with resistance. The geopolitical ramifications of these considerations are compounded by the tense relationship between Israel and Syria.
Original Source: themedialine.org
