A recent piece of news has been attracting attention: the government of US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to transfer around one million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip to Libya
This idea, published by outlets such as Reuters, NBC News and the Times of Israel, is causing a lot of discussion.
Let’s explain what’s happening in an easy-to-understand way.
What is the Plan?
The plan, which emerged on May 16, 2025, aims to move up to one million people from the Gaza Strip, a small and densely populated area where Palestinians live in difficult conditions, with poverty, conflicts and blockades.
The proposal is to take them to Libya, a country in North Africa that also has serious problems, such as political disputes and violence.
To convince Libya to accept these people, the United States is reportedly offering billions of dollars that belong to the country but have been blocked since 2011, after the fall of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
The talks are still ongoing, and nothing has been officially decided.
Where Did This Idea Come From?
It all started with statements by Trump in early 2025. He said that Arab countries, such as Egypt and Jordan, should take in more Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump also talked about “cleaning up” Gaza to give the region a “fresh start,” which caused controversy.
Now, the plan to send Palestinians to Libya appears to be a more concrete version of this idea, with money involved.
What Are People Involved Saying?
Not everyone agrees with the plan or confirms that it exists
U.S. government: A U.S. representative told NBC News that the news is false and that the plan would not be possible because of the problems in Gaza and Libya.
But five people, including two who are taking part in the talks and a former American official, confirmed that the plan is under discussion.
Hamas: Hamas, which controls Gaza and is considered a terrorist group by the United States, said it was not aware of any plan.
Basem Naim, a Hamas leader, said Palestinians love their land and only they can decide where they want to live.
He said they would fight to stay in Gaza.
Israel: The Israeli government, which controls Gaza’s borders and has been at odds with the Palestinians, has not said anything officially about the plan.
Libya: The Libyan government has not yet taken a clear position, but sources say its leaders are in talks with the United States.
Given that Libya already has so many internal problems, it is hard to imagine how they would welcome so many people.
Why Is the Plan Causing Controversy?
The idea is generating a lot of criticism for several reasons
Palestinians’ Love for Gaza: Palestinians consider Gaza their home and do not want to be forced to leave.
Forcing or persuading so many people to move could be seen as unfair.
Problems in Libya: Libya has been in crisis since 2011, with rival groups fighting for power.
There is violence and even human trafficking.
Sending a million Palestinians there could put them in danger.
Humanitarian Crisis: Gaza is already suffering from food, water and housing shortages.
Relocating so many people would require a very well-thought-out plan to ensure homes, jobs and security in Libya, which seems nearly impossible now.
Law and Ethics: Human rights organizations and the international community may say that this plan violates the rights of Palestinians and the laws that protect against forced displacement.
What Could Happen?
For now, the plan is just an idea under discussion.
We don’t know how it would be implemented or if it will actually happen.
The US government has denied the story, and others involved have not confirmed it.
Furthermore, both Gaza and Libya have such big problems that such a huge change seems very difficult.
Arab countries and organizations like the UN should keep an eye on what happens.
Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face hardships, and the region needs urgent solutions to its conflicts.
Trump’s plan to move one million Palestinians from Gaza to Libya mixes politics, money and humanitarian issues.
It is not yet clear whether it will come to fruition, but it is already causing debates about Palestinian rights, the situation in Libya and the role of the United States in the Middle East.
The most important thing is to find ways that respect people and bring peace to such a complicated region.
Sources:
Published in 05/17/2025 01h18
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
Reference article:
| Geoprocessing Drone Systems HPC |
| ERP and CRM Systems Mobile Systems AI |