The United States is reportedly planning to relocate one million residents from the besieged Gaza Strip to Libya, according to a report by NBC News on Friday, citing five sources familiar with the matter. The plan suggests that these Palestinians would be settled permanently in Libya.
According to the sources, the U.S. has proposed to unfreeze billions of dollars in Libyan assets seized since 2011, in exchange for Libya accepting the Gaza residents. Additionally, the U.S. is considering offering financial incentives to encourage Gazans to relocate, including free housing and allowances.
However, no formal agreement has been reached between the involved parties. The sources also said that Israel has been included in the discussions.
A U.S. spokesperson denied that such a plan is feasible, stating that there have been no discussions regarding it. Similarly, Hamas, the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance group, said they were unaware of any such negotiations. Senior Hamas official Bassem Naim told NBC that Palestinians will not leave their homeland and are prepared to make further sacrifices for the future of their people.
Naim added that only Palestinians can decide their own fate.
Libya has faced political instability since the fall of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and is currently governed by two rival administrations.
