Trump Plans to Relocate 1 Million Palestinians in Libya?
The Trump administration is reportedly working on a plan to permanently relocate up to 1 million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya, according to recent reports.
Trump Plans to Relocate 1 Million Palestinians in Libya?
This controversial proposal has sparked debate due to its scale, logistical challenges, and implications for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Below is a detailed look at the development, its background, official confirmations, reasons behind it, and the United States’ involvement.
Recent Development
On May 16, 2025, NBC News reported that the Trump administration is seriously considering a plan to move up to 1 million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya.
The proposal is under active discussion with Libyan leadership, though no final agreement has been reached. Sources say the U.S. would offer Libya billions of dollars in frozen funds as an incentive. The plan includes offering Palestinians financial incentives, such as free housing and stipends, to encourage relocation.
This news comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Israel’s military operations intensifying and humanitarian conditions worsening. The report has drawn attention due to its potential to reshape the region’s demographics and politics.
The proposal follows earlier suggestions by President Donald Trump to “take over” Gaza and relocate its population. In February 2025, Trump proposed turning Gaza into a “Middle East Riviera” and suggested countries like Egypt and Jordan take in Palestinians.
The Libya plan appears to be a more concrete step toward this vision, though it faces significant hurdles.
Background of the Plan
The idea of relocating Palestinians from Gaza has roots in Trump’s earlier statements and policies. Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has pushed for bold solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In February, he suggested the U.S. could control Gaza and rebuild it as a “freedom zone,” implying large-scale displacement of Palestinians. This followed Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza, which has killed over 52,000 people since the conflict escalated, according to Palestinian health officials.
The war has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, creating a humanitarian crisis with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
Trump’s plan builds on discussions with Israeli officials, who have been informed of the Libya proposal. Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced pressure to address Gaza’s governance and security after defeating Hamas, the group controlling the territory.
Previous relocation ideas, such as moving Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan, were rejected by those countries. Libya, despite its instability, emerged as a potential destination due to its proximity and the U.S.’s ability to leverage frozen funds. The plan also reflects Trump’s broader immigration and deportation policies, including proposals to send migrants to Libya and other African nations.
Official Confirmations
The plan was confirmed by five sources familiar with the matter, as reported by NBC News on May 16, 2025. Two individuals with direct knowledge and a former U.S. official said the Trump administration has discussed the proposal with Libyan leaders.
A senior administration official and a former U.S. official also noted that multiple locations for resettling Palestinians were considered, with Libya being the primary focus.
The U.S. State Department and National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment, indicating the sensitive nature of the discussions.
A senior Hamas official, Basem Naim, stated that the group was unaware of the plan and insisted Palestinians would not leave Gaza voluntarily.
Libyan officials have not publicly confirmed the talks, and Israel has been kept informed but has not issued an official response. The lack of public statements from key players suggests the plan is still in early stages, with details remaining unclear.
Reasons Behind the Proposal
The Trump administration’s push to relocate Palestinians stems from several factors. First, Trump aims to resolve the Gaza conflict by removing a significant portion of its population, potentially reducing tensions with Israel.
He has described Gaza as a “demolition site” and believes relocation could pave the way for reconstruction under U.S. or international control. Second, the plan aligns with Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza into a commercial hub, free of Hamas’s influence.
Offering financial incentives to Palestinians is intended to make the move voluntary, though critics argue it could amount to coerced displacement.
Libya’s selection as a destination is tied to U.S. leverage over frozen funds, estimated at billions of dollars, held since the 2011 overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi. Releasing these funds could incentivize Libya’s rival governments to accept the plan, despite the country’s ongoing civil war and instability.
The proposal also reflects strained U.S.-Israel relations, as Trump has expressed frustration with Netanyahu’s military actions in Gaza, prompting alternative solutions. Additionally, Trump’s broader deportation agenda, including plans to send migrants to Libya, may have influenced the decision to target the country for Palestinian resettlement.
U.S. Involvement
The U.S. is deeply involved due to Trump’s personal interest in reshaping the Middle East. His administration sees the Libya plan as a way to assert U.S. influence while addressing Israel’s security concerns. The U.S. would likely fund the relocation through frozen Libyan assets and coordinate logistics, possibly involving military transport, as seen in separate deportation plans.
Feasibility
However, the feasibility of moving 1 million people is questionable. Libya is divided between two rival governments, plagued by violence, and lacks infrastructure to absorb such a large population. The U.S. State Department itself advises against travel to Libya due to “crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.”
Logistical challenges include transporting Palestinians from Gaza, which has no airport, and ensuring their safety in a lawless country.
Palestinian resistance is another hurdle, as many reject leaving their homeland, viewing relocation as a violation of their rights. International backlash is likely, with Arab states and human rights groups previously condemning similar proposals as “ethnic cleansing.”
The plan’s success depends on Libyan cooperation, Palestinian willingness, and Israel’s support, all of which remain uncertain.
Despite these obstacles, Trump’s determination to pursue bold policies keeps the proposal alive, though its implementation faces significant practical and ethical barriers.
In summary, the Trump administration’s plan to relocate 1 million Palestinians to Libya is a bold and controversial move driven by strategic, political, and economic motives.
While discussions are underway, the plan’s complexity and opposition from multiple parties make its outcome uncertain. As the situation develops, the world watches closely for its impact on Gaza, Libya, and the broader Middle East.
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