Israel in talks to 'resettle Gaza Palestinians in South Sudan'

South Sudan and Israel are discussing a deal to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza in the troubled African nation, three sources told Reuters — a plan quickly dismissed as unacceptable by Palestinian leaders.

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The sources, who have knowledge of the matter but spoke on condition of anonymity, said no agreement had been reached but talks between South Sudan and Israel were ongoing.

The plan, if carried further, would envisage people moving from an enclave shattered by almost two years of war with Israel to a nation in the heart of Africa riven by years of political and ethnically-driven violence.

A spokesperson for the US State Department said, “we do not speak to private diplomatic conversations’ when asked about the plan and if the United States supported the idea.

Mr Netanyahu said this month he intends to extend military control in Gaza, and this week repeated suggestions that Palestinians should leave the territory voluntarily.