Trump’s Plan for Gaza: Relocating a Million Palestinians to Libya

A plan for the permanent relocation of up to a million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya is reportedly being developed by the Trump administration. According to NBC News, Donald Trump has already initiated discussions with the Libyan government regarding the relocation of Palestinians. In exchange, Washington is considering unfreezing billions of dollars belonging to the North African country that have been frozen by the U.S. for over a decade. No final agreement has been reached, but Israel has been informed about these discussions, sources told NBC News. Libya has remained divided for years, with two rival governments vying for control since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi sparked a civil war nearly 14 years ago. All previous proposals for potential relocation from Gaza have faced international outcry, especially from Arab countries, which are likely to play a role in rebuilding the enclave after any permanent ceasefire agreement. The U.S. State Department currently advises Americans against traveling to Libya due to crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, political unrest, kidnappings, and armed conflict. It remains unclear how many Palestinians in Gaza would voluntarily move to live in Libya. One idea discussed by government officials is to offer financial incentives, such as free housing or even stipends, according to a former U.S. official. Details on when or how any relocation plan could be implemented are vague, and an effort to resettle up to a million people there would likely face significant obstacles. Such an endeavor would probably be extremely costly, and it is unclear how the Trump administration plans to fund it. On the final day of his Middle East tour, Donald Trump stated his intention to resolve several global crises, including Gaza. ‘We’re looking at Gaza,’ he said. ‘And we need to take care of it. Many people are starving. Many people are starving – a lot of bad things are happening.’ This proposed plan is part of President Donald Trump’s vision for a post-conflict Gaza, which he stated in February that the U.S. would aim to ‘take over’ and rebuild, transforming it into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East.’