Up to a million Palestinians could be 'permanently relocated' to war-torn Libya under US plans

16 May 2025, 20:30 | Updated: 17 May 2025, 11:32

Up to a million Palestinians could be permanently relocated from devastated Gaza to war-torn Libya under plans being worked on by Donald Trump's administration, it has been reported.

The idea has been discussed with Libya's leadership, sources told Sky's US partner network NBC News, and would potentially see billions of dollars in frozen Libyan funds released.

The North African country remains divided in two - nearly 14 years after the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi sparked a civil war - with two rival governments fighting for control.

It comes as Israel continues a campaign of airstrikes on Gaza, with 93 people killed and hundreds injured on Friday, according to local medics.

No final agreement on any Libya plans have been reached, sources told NBC News, and US government agencies did not respond to requests for comment from the news outlet.

Previous suggestions to resettle Palestinians from Gaza - voluntarily or otherwise - have provoked international outcry, particularly from Arab states who likely will play a role in rebuilding the enclave after any permanent ceasefire deal.

And Libya is far from a safe nation, according to the US State Department's own travel advice, which says Americans should not travel to the country "due to crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict".

After publication of its report, a US government spokesperson told NBC News: "These reports are untrue.

"The situation on the ground is untenable for such a plan. Such a plan was not discussed and makes no sense."

President Trump, speaking on the final day of his Middle East trip, said he was looking to resolve a range of global crises, including Gaza.

"We're looking at Gaza," he said. "And we've got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are - there's a lot of bad things going on."

There had been hopes that his tour of the region could increase the chances of a ceasefire deal or prompt Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza that is preventing humanitarian aid from getting in.

But instead Israel has continued to launch airstrikes on the territory, killing more than 250 people in the last two days, according to Hamas-run health authorities.