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“South Sudan firmly refutes recent media reports claiming that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is engaged in discussion with the State of Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian Nationals from Gaza in South Sudan,” the foreign ministry said. It emphasized that such claims “do not reflect the official position or policy” of the government.
The AP report suggested that Israel, alongside the United States, has explored similar proposals with Sudan, Somalia, and the breakaway region of Somaliland. The idea of forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who warn that such actions would constitute forcible expulsion, ethnic cleansing, and a violation of international law. Critics fear that Palestinians displaced from Gaza would be prevented from returning, potentially enabling Israel to annex the territory and re-establish settlements, a policy advocated by far-right members of the Israeli government.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly supported the idea of “voluntary migration” for Gaza’s population. In an interview with Israel’s i24 television channel on Tuesday, Netanyahu stated, “I think that the right thing to do, even according to the laws of war as I know them, is to allow the population to leave, and then you go in with all your might against the enemy who remains there.” He did not specifically mention South Sudan in the interview.
South Sudan, still recovering from a devastating civil war that began in 2011 and claimed nearly 400,000 lives, is grappling with economic challenges and hosts a significant refugee population from neighboring conflicts. Edmund Yakani, a South Sudanese civil society leader, told the AP that the country “should not become a dumping ground for people” or be used as a bargaining chip in diplomatic negotiations.
Joe Szlavik, founder of a U.S. lobbying firm working with South Sudan, claimed that South Sudanese officials briefed him on the alleged talks, suggesting the country was seeking concessions from the Trump administration, including the lifting of a U.S. travel ban and sanctions on certain South Sudanese elites. Journalist Peter Martell noted that South Sudan, facing financial and diplomatic challenges, is in need of allies and resources, which could make it vulnerable to external pressures.
The Trump administration has previously pushed for deportations to South Sudan, with the country accepting eight individuals under its mass deportation policy. However, Egypt, which borders Gaza, has firmly opposed any forced transfer of Palestinians, citing concerns over a potential refugee crisis in its territory.
Human rights organizations have condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing it of systematically targeting civilians, infrastructure, and humanitarian operations, including hospitals and journalists. The ongoing war, which escalated following Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 47,500 deaths and 111,600 injuries in Gaza, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry.
Journalism in Gaza Faces Uncertain Future Amid Targeted Killings
The targeting of journalists in Gaza has raised serious concerns about the future of journalism in the region. Since October 2023, over 200 journalists and media workers have been killed by Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, making this the deadliest conflict for media personnel in history. On August 11, 2025, Al Jazeera condemned the killing of five of its staff members—correspondents Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qraiqea, and photographers Ibrahim Al-Thaher, Aref Saeed, and Fadi Deeb—in what it described as a targeted assassination by Israeli forces.
The loss of journalists like Anas Al-Sharif, whose final will reportedly called for continued reporting on Gaza’s plight, has left a profound impact. Al-Sharif, a prominent Al Jazeera correspondent, was known for his fearless coverage of the conflict. His death, alongside other journalists, has been described as part of a deliberate effort to suppress reporting on alleged war crimes. Media rights groups, including the Samir Kassir Foundation, have labeled these killings as war crimes, emphasizing that journalists in Gaza work under constant threat.
The poem *I Knew These Giants* by Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha has resonated widely, honoring the resilience and sacrifice of Gaza’s journalists. As conditions worsen, with hospitals, displacement shelters, and so-called safe zones under attack, the ability of journalists to operate in Gaza is increasingly constrained. Torrential rains and freezing temperatures have further compounded the challenges, flooding tent encampments where many journalists are based. The banning of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by Israel, set to take effect in late January 2026, threatens to dismantle critical infrastructure supporting media operations.
Despite these challenges, Gaza’s journalists remain defiant. “We live, sleep, and work there. We see each other more than we see our own families,” said freelance photographer Abed Shaat, who survived an Israeli strike on a media tent in April 2025. The targeting of journalists, coupled with the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, raises critical questions about the sustainability of independent journalism in the region.
**International Condemnation Grows Over Israel’s Actions**
Israel’s recent approval of a plan to occupy Gaza City, announced on August 8, 2025, has sparked global outcry. The move, which could forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, has been condemned as a violation of international humanitarian law. The UN Secretary-General and other world leaders have warned of catastrophic humanitarian consequences, with Palestinians in Gaza City expressing fear of further displacement.
The conflict, now in its 22nd month, continues to devastate Gaza, with 21 aid seekers killed by Israeli forces on August 9, 2025, and reports of starvation deaths rising. Australia has pledged $20 million in aid for Gaza, while more than 22,000 aid trucks have been blocked by Israel, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
As ceasefire talks falter, with mediators like Qatar and Egypt struggling to broker a deal, the international community faces growing pressure to address Israel’s actions and ensure accountability for alleged war crimes. The future of Gaza, its people, and its journalists hangs in the balance as the world watches a deepening crisis unfold.
