Trump Considering Resettling 1M Palestinians in Libya: Sources

Not much about the plan is at all clear, but 5 people say it's in talks
Posted May 19, 2025 1:00 AM CDT
Trump Considering Relocating 1M Palestinians to Libya: Sources
Smoke rises following an Israeli army bombardment in Khan Younis, Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, Monday, May 19, 2025.   (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Five sources tell NBC News that the Trump administration is working on a plan that would see a million Palestinians permanently moved from the Gaza Strip to Libya. Three of the sources say the idea has been discussed with Libyan officials, and that Israel has also been kept apprised of those talks. But an administration spokesperson told NBC, after the article had been published, that "the situation on the ground is untenable for such a plan. Such a plan was not discussed and makes no sense." Libya, a North African nation, is 14 years into a civil war and is experiencing violent fighting between two rival political factions, and NBC notes there would likely be numerous "obstacles" to resettling a million people there—not least of which is the cost, which would be significant. It's not clear who would pay.

It's also not clear whether Palestinians would move there voluntarily; one source says the administration has raised the possibility of offering a stipend and free housing in exchange for resettling. Among the many other details that are not yet clear: how Palestinians would be physically moved and where in Libya they'd be settled. One thing that is clear is the incentive for Libya: The sources say that in exchange for Libya taking in Palestinians, the administration is considering releasing billions of dollars in funds that have been frozen by the US for more than a decade. (The administration has also attempted to deport migrants from the US to Libya, but a federal judge recently put a pin in that plan.)

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