Three months after U.S. President Donald Trump first proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza, new reports suggest that the controversial idea may be moving from rhetoric to potential policy. According to NBC News, the Trump team is now reportedly exploring a plan that could involve the permanent resettlement of up to 1 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya.
Though still in early stages, the proposal is said to have entered a discussion phase with the Libyan government, and if greenlit, could mark one of the most ambitious—and contentious—population relocation efforts in modern Middle Eastern history.
A Secretive Resettlement Scheme?
NBC’s report, published Friday, cites unnamed U.S. officials claiming that Washington is actively engaging with Libyan authorities about the feasibility of absorbing a large portion of Gaza’s displaced population. The report adds that in exchange for accepting Palestinians, Libya could gain access to billions of dollars in frozen assets—U.S.-held funds that were blocked over a decade ago amid the country’s internal turmoil.
While Israeli officials are reportedly aware of the proposal, neither the U.S. State Department nor the National Security Council has confirmed the initiative. Both entities have publicly denied the report’s claims.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council told NBC: “There are no such plans currently under discussion or implementation by the United States government.” Likewise, the State Department has insisted that U.S. policy remains focused on a two-state solution and regional de-escalation.
Despite these denials, international media and political analysts are treating the report with cautious concern, especially given Trump’s past remarks and policy leanings.
Trump’s Longstanding Vision for Gaza
The idea of relocating Palestinians is not new for Trump. Back in February 2025, during a campaign event, he controversially suggested that the United States could “take over Gaza” and transform it into “the French Riviera of the Middle East.” That remark was widely criticized, with many analysts labeling it as tone-deaf and imperialistic, particularly amid the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
Trump’s broader foreign policy vision has often emphasized radical reshuffling of the geopolitical map, and his administration’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his first term included recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and backing Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Now, as the former president eyes a return to office, critics say the relocation idea represents a dangerous escalation in his approach to the region.
Financial and Logistical Challenges
Analysts and humanitarian experts are quick to point out that even if Libya were to agree in principle, relocating one million people would be logistically overwhelming and financially unsustainable.
“There is no evidence that Libya, still recovering from years of civil war, has the capacity to absorb such a massive influx of refugees,” said Dr. Nadia Marwan, a political scientist at the American University in Cairo. “This is not just about money—it’s about infrastructure, governance, and the rights of Palestinians to return to their land.”
NBC’s report acknowledges that the proposed plan would be extraordinarily expensive, and it remains unclear how the Trump team would secure funding. So far, no U.S. congressional or international support has been announced.
Some insiders speculate that Arab Gulf nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, might be approached to finance parts of the operation. However, most Arab governments have historically opposed the idea of Palestinian relocation, citing the right of return as central to the Palestinian cause.
Regional Reactions and Warnings
Unsurprisingly, the relocation plan has sparked strong reactions across the Arab world. Diplomatic sources from Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon have expressed alarm over what they perceive as an attempt at ethnic cleansing.
“If this report is true, then it constitutes a direct assault on Palestinian identity and sovereignty,” said a senior Arab League official, who asked not to be named. “No solution to the Gaza crisis can involve uprooting its people.”
Human rights groups have also issued warnings. According to Human Rights Watch, forced population transfers under threat or as part of political deals are a violation of international law.
“This would not be a humanitarian operation—it would be a mass displacement with potentially irreversible consequences,” said Kenneth Roth, former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. “Resettling Palestinians in Libya, a country that itself is deeply unstable, risks trading one crisis for another.”
A Polarizing Political Gamble
Observers suggest that Trump’s reported proposal may be aimed at galvanizing support among hardline conservatives and pro-Israel constituents as he seeks to regain the presidency in 2024. However, such moves could further alienate moderates and draw condemnation from the international community.
“This is political theater with potentially catastrophic consequences,” said Dr. Ayman Al-Zawahiri, a regional expert at the Doha Institute. “The relocation plan disregards both humanitarian norms and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”
Gaza’s Ongoing Humanitarian Nightmare
The latest developments come against the backdrop of an already dire situation in Gaza, where months of war, blockades, and famine have devastated the civilian population. The UN has warned of worsening conditions, and the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises recently highlighted Gaza as one of the territories at risk of famine.
Millions of Palestinians remain displaced, with limited access to clean water, food, or medical services. For many, any talk of resettlement feels like a permanent erasure of their national identity and history.
