Report Says US and Israel Explore Relocating Gazans to Syria

The United States and Israel are reportedly exploring the possibility of resettling Gaza’s population in Syria, according to a CBS News report citing three sources familiar with the discussions. The idea is part of a broader, controversial plan advanced by US President Donald Trump to find a long-term solution for Gaza’s over two million residents following the war with Hamas.

The reported plan suggests that the US would take administrative control over Gaza, overseeing a massive cleanup and development effort, ultimately transforming the war-torn territory. However, the proposal has been met with skepticism from analysts and outright rejection from several Arab states, who oppose the displacement of Palestinians.

One source indicated that outreach was made to Syria’s new government via a third party. However, Syrian officials have publicly denied knowledge of any such proposal. Syria, now led by interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa a former jihadist leader turned head of state has maintained a moderate public stance, pledging to safeguard minorities, including Jews, Druze, and Kurds. Still, Syrian officials remain wary of Israel’s continued military activity in southern Syria.

Israel has declined to comment officially on the report, though it is well known that Israeli leadership distrusts Sharaa’s government, particularly given Israel's military presence along the Syrian border and its ongoing airstrikes against Iranian proxies and Hezbollah targets in the region.

In addition to Syria, Trump administration officials have reportedly engaged with Sudanese, Somali, and even Somaliland authorities regarding the possibility of accepting Gazan refugees. Somali officials, however, have denied being approached.

This resettlement initiative follows 15 months of intense conflict in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists launched a brutal attack on Israeli communities, murdering 1,200 civilians and abducting 251 hostages. In the aftermath, both Israel and the US have emphasized the necessity of replacing Hamas’s governance in Gaza to ensure regional stability and prevent future violence.

Egypt, alarmed by Trump’s proposal, has put forth its own plan, focusing on an interim technocratic administration to run Gaza for six months before handing over control to the Palestinian Authority. Unlike Trump’s vision, Egypt’s plan keeps Gaza’s population in place during the reconstruction phase.

While the Trump administration has sent mixed signals about the Egyptian proposal, the idea of relocating Gaza’s population remains a contentious topic. As negotiations over Gaza’s future continue amid a fragile ceasefire, the international community closely watches how these competing visions for the territory will unfold.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on Israel’s efforts to secure its borders and ensure a stable future for the region.