South Sudan has dismissed claims that it is in discussions with Israel to resettle Palestinians from Gaza in its territory.
The foreign ministry described the reports, published by the Associated Press, as baseless and not reflective of the government’s position or policy.
AP had earlier cited unnamed sources alleging that Israel proposed transferring Palestinians from Gaza to South Sudan, alongside similar overtures to Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland.
The alleged plan comes amid calls by some Israeli officials for the displacement of Gaza’s population, a move critics say would amount to ethnic cleansing and breach international law.
South Sudan, still recovering from civil war and hosting large numbers of refugees, stressed it would not be used as a “dumping ground.”
The rejection follows concerns by rights groups and Egypt over any forced transfer, which they fear could permanently bar Palestinians from returning to Gaza.