President Trump is considering a plan to relocate 1 million people from Gaza to northern Africa as Israel ramps up its military offensive in the Hamas-ruled territory.
As reported by NBC, Trump is not ruling out transferring 1 million Gazans to Libya in exchange for freeing up billions in funds frozen by the United States.
The plan is "under serious enough consideration that the administration has discussed it with Libya’s leadership," according to NBC.
A National Security Council spokesperson denied any such plans, calling them unrealistic.
“The situation on the ground is untenable for such a plan. Such a plan was not discussed and makes no sense,” a National Security Spokesperson said.
Any attempt to relocate a million people would face huge logistical challenges. According to NBC, the Trump administration is considering stipends or free housing to encourage Gazans to relocate, and all methods of transportation are being looked at.
Libya has experienced continuous unrest political instability since the violent overthrow of Muammar Ghaddafi in 2011. After two civil wars, the country is ruled by two competing factions.
No final decision has been made on relocating Gazans, but "Israel has been kept informed of the administration’s discussions," sources told NBC.
The idea echoes Trump's controversial proposal from earlier in the year to take over and develop heavily bombed Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East."
Trump's idea was shot down by Palestine's Arab neighbors, which have long resisted taking in Palestinian refugees, who they fear will destabilize their countries. Many Arabs also view the potential expulsion of Palestinians as a form of ethnic cleansing.
While a relocation policy would be favored by Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump has also put distance between himself and Israel as its war with Hamas has dragged on.
Israel has been escalating its bombing of Gaza in what prime minister Netanyahu has called a final push to demolish Hamas.
Trump notably did not visit Israel during a lavish tour of the Arab Gulf states last week that saw Trump ink billions of dollars in deals. He also expressed concern about people "starving" in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade.
According to NBC, Trump officials are also eyeing war-torn Syria as a possible new home for Gazans. In a political shockwave, Trump met with Syria's new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, last week and announced an end to U.S. sanctions to give Syria a "chance at peace."
