Trump administration considering plan to relocate up to 1 million Palestinians to Libya

The Trump administration is reportedly exploring a plan to permanently relocate as many as 1 million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the matter.

The proposal has been discussed with Libyan leadership, with the possibility that the U.S. might release billions of dollars in frozen Libyan funds as part of the arrangement, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

No final deal has been reached, and Israel has been kept informed of the discussions. The State Department and National Security Council initially declined comment, later denying the reports as “untrue” and saying “such a plan was not discussed and makes no sense.”

Hamas, the group governing Gaza, said it was unaware of any such discussions and affirmed Palestinians’ commitment to their homeland, emphasising their exclusive right to decide their future.

Libya remains politically unstable, divided between rival governments in the west and east, with ongoing conflict and significant humanitarian challenges. The U.S. State Department continues to advise against travel to Libya due to security risks.

Key logistical questions remain, including how many Palestinians would agree to move and where exactly they would be resettled in Libya. Officials have considered financial incentives such as free housing and stipends to encourage relocation.

The logistics of moving 1 million people from Gaza pose major challenges: Gaza lacks an airport, so Palestinians would need transport to regional airports (likely Cairo), with flights, land, and sea routes all being explored. Transporting this many people could require over 1,000 large aircraft flights or hundreds of ferry trips, making the operation costly and complex.

The plan aligns with President Trump’s broader vision for Gaza’s future, which includes rebuilding the area as a prosperous “Riviera of the Middle East” under U.S. oversight. Trump has repeatedly stated Palestinians would need to be resettled elsewhere, arguing Gaza is currently unlivable.

This relocation idea surprised some administration officials and drew criticism from Arab allies and U.S. lawmakers. Many see it as highly problematic, and the U.S. and Israel have recently rejected Egypt’s proposal to rebuild Gaza without resettling Palestinians.

The Trump administration has also considered other possible relocation sites, including Syria under its new leadership, as it seeks alternatives for Gaza’s Palestinians amid escalating tensions and Israel’s ongoing military operations.

By Tamilla Hasanova