Multiple sources have revealed that senior officials in Libya’s internationally recognised government have engaged in talks with Israeli representatives about a controversial proposal to resettle hundreds of thousands of Palestinians expelled from Gaza. The discussions, reportedly led by National Security Adviser Ibrahim Dbeibah, a relative of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, have sparked widespread alarm given Libya’s fragile political situation and deep public support for the Palestinian cause.
According to Libyan, Arab, and European sources, “practical talks” have taken place, though no concrete mechanisms have been outlined. Reports suggest that the United States may offer Libya economic incentives, including the release of $30 billion in frozen state assets, in exchange for absorbing Palestinians. The assets, frozen since 2011 under former US President Barack Obama, have long been a point of contention in international negotiations.
Israeli officials have openly promoted the idea of expelling Palestinians from Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently confirming that Israel is in contact with “several countries” about accepting displaced civilians. Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter even described Libya as “the ideal destination” for resettlement, citing its vast land and Mediterranean coastline. However, forced displacement is prohibited under international law, with Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention outlawing the forcible transfer of populations by an occupying power.
While the Libyan government publicly denies involvement, insiders claim both Prime Minister Dbeibah and rival military leader Khalifa Haftar have been approached with promises of legitimacy, financial rewards, or greater control of Libya’s oil resources if they cooperate. Analysts warn that any attempt to forcibly resettle Palestinians in Libya would trigger public outrage, deepen instability, and likely push many Palestinians to attempt dangerous migration routes across the Mediterranean toward Europe.
Critics argue that relocating Palestinians to conflict-stricken Libya would amount to compounding one crisis with another. A European source close to the talks warned: “It will be catastrophic at multiple levels. Palestinians escaping the ruins of Gaza would face political chaos, civil war, and broken systems in Libya, leaving them with no real protection or future.”
Despite denials from both Libyan authorities and some US officials, the reports underscore the growing international manoeuvres around Gaza’s future and highlight Israel’s outreach to several African nations as potential destinations for expelled Palestinians.
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