The administration of former President Donald Trump was reportedly considering a highly contentious and potentially destabilizing plan: the permanent relocation of up to one million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya. This information emerged from an NBC News investigation, citing five individuals with direct knowledge of the matter, including some former U.S. officials.
According to NBC News, the proposal was taken seriously enough that the Trump administration engaged in direct discussions with Libyan leaders. Discussions reportedly took place with both factions of the Libyan government, confirmed by two sources with direct knowledge and a former U.S. official. While the plan has not been formalized or reached a definitive agreement, the media outlet notes that Israel was kept informed of the discussions. Furthermore, three individuals indicated that, in exchange for the mass resettlement, the U.S. would release "billions of dollars of funds that have been frozen for over a decade."
Rejection from Palestinian Leadership
The plan has been met with strong condemnation from Palestinian territories. Basem Naim, a senior official of Hamas, told NBC News that the organization was unaware of any talks regarding the relocation of Palestinians to Libya. He emphasized the deep-rooted connection Palestinians have to their homeland, stating, "Palestinians are deeply attached to their homeland, committed to it, and ready to fight to the end to defend their land, their homeland, their families, and the future of their children." Naim stressed that only Palestinians have the right to decide their fate.
The Palestinian Authority echoed this sentiment, with President Mahmoud Abbas describing any attempt at mass resettlement outside Palestinian territory as "unacceptable" during a statement from Moscow. "We oppose the displacement of Palestinians from Palestine. We do not want to see a 'Middle East Riviera' created in the Gaza Strip. That plan is unacceptable, and we have rejected it," Abbas declared.
Libya: A Fragile Destination
Libya, a nation torn apart by nearly 14 years of internal conflict since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, remains divided between two rival governments: one in the west led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah and another in the east under General Khalifa Haftar. These factions have been embroiled in armed conflict, maintaining a precarious hold on governance. The U.S. State Department currently advises against travel to Libya, citing "crime, terrorism, unexploded ordnance, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict."
Neither Dbeibah's government nor Haftar's Libyan National Army responded to NBC News' requests for comment.
Logistical and Economic Hurdles
It remains uncertain how many Palestinians would voluntarily move to Libya. According to a former U.S. official, the administration considered offering financial incentives such as "free housing and even a stipend" to facilitate the relocation. However, the challenges are immense. Logistically, transporting one million people from Gaza to Libya would be an enormous undertaking.
An estimate from EFE news agency suggests that over 1,100 flights of the Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, would be needed. Given that Gaza lacks an operational airport, individuals would need to be transported by land or sea to another location in the region, potentially Cairo, Egypt. The land journey would span over 1,800 kilometers through potentially unstable areas, while using ferries would necessitate hundreds of additional trips. Financially, the project is described as "extremely costly," with no clear funding source, although the Trump administration previously suggested that Arab countries might assist in rebuilding Gaza post-conflict. However, these nations have opposed any permanent relocation of Palestinians outside their homeland.
Demographic Impact and Political Tensions
The latest public estimate from the CIA places Libya's population at approximately 7.36 million people. The arrival of a million Palestinians would represent a demographic increase of 13%, equivalent to the U.S. absorbing about 46 million additional people. Such an effort would exert enormous pressure on the already fragile infrastructure of the North African country, which struggles to adequately provide for its current population.
In recent weeks, NBC News also reported that the Trump administration had considered Libya as a possible destination for immigrants being deported from the United States. However, those plans were halted by a federal judge. Although the Palestinian resettlement plan has not been officially confirmed and seems unfeasible in the near term, its mere discussion has sparked a wave of reactions, highlighting the ongoing tension over Gaza's future.
Trump's Ambition to "Buy" Gaza
The alleged relocation of Palestinians to Libya follows three months after Trump expressed a desire to "buy" and "possess" Gaza. "I am committed to buying and owning Gaza. As for its reconstruction, we can outsource parts of it to other Middle Eastern states," Trump stated aboard Air Force One while traveling to the Super Bowl in New Orleans in February. "Others can do it under our sponsorship. But we are determined to own it, take control, and ensure that Hamas will not return," he added.
Trump's remarks were enthusiastically received by the Israeli far-right, which advocates for the expulsion of Palestinians, but they drew widespread condemnation from the international community, particularly among Arab countries.
Frequently Asked Questions on Trump's Plan for Relocating Palestinians
What was the proposed destination for relocating Palestinians?
The proposed destination for relocating up to one million Palestinians was Libya.
Who were involved in the discussions about the relocation plan?
Discussions involved the Trump administration and leaders from both factions of the Libyan government.
How did Palestinian leaders react to the plan?
Palestinian leaders, including those from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, strongly condemned the plan, asserting their right to decide their own fate.
What challenges did the relocation plan face?
The plan faced logistical challenges in transporting people, financial constraints, and political opposition from various stakeholders.