According to an exclusive report by the Associated Press on the 14th, US and Israeli officials stated that the two countries have secretly contacted three East African countries or regions to discuss potential destinations for resettling Palestinian and Gaza residents. This means that despite widespread condemnation from the international community, the US and Israeli governments are still attempting to continue their plan to forcibly relocate Gaza residents.

On March 13, 2025 local time, Gaza City was devastated, and returning Palestinian residents set up tents to temporarily reside. According to reports, anonymous US and Israeli officials have confirmed contacts with Somalia and Somaliland regions, while US officials have also confirmed contacts with Sudan. US officials said that last month, a few days after US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu jointly proposed the Gaza plan, the US and Israel began to engage with these three potential destinations separately, and stated that Israel played a leading role in the relevant discussions. Israel and the United States have provided various incentives for these potential partners, involving finance, diplomacy, and security. The Associated Press reported that this was the tactic used by Trump five years ago to facilitate the Abraham Accord, an agreement to normalize relations between Israel and Arab countries.

Sudan is one of the signatory countries of the Abraham Accord in 2020. As part of the agreement, the United States removed Sudan from the list of "state sponsors of terrorism", which enabled Sudan to obtain international loans. However, due to Sudan's later involvement in civil war, its relationship with Israel never improved. According to the Associated Press, two Sudanese officials who declined to be named confirmed that the Trump administration has been in contact with the government led by the Sudanese military to discuss the issue of receiving Palestinian and Gaza residents. This kind of contact even began before Trump's inauguration, when he proposed providing military aid, post-war reconstruction assistance, and other incentives to Sudan. But this suggestion was immediately rejected, "one of the officials said," and no one brought it up again

Last week, the Commander in Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Burhan, stated at an emergency Arab summit that his country "firmly rejects" any plan aimed at "relocating Palestinians from their land". The Associated Press reported that it is difficult for the United States and Israel to persuade Palestinians to leave Gaza, especially to migrate to such a turbulent country.

While Sudan has rejected the US Israel proposal, anonymous Somali officials have revealed that the country has not yet received a proposal to accept Palestinian Gaza residents. The Associated Press reported that Somalia has always been a staunch supporter of Palestinians, often holding peaceful protests on the streets to support them, and the country seems unlikely to become a destination for Palestinians. Kenyan lawyer Chepkore said that given Somalia's strong support for Palestine, it is difficult to understand why the country is willing to accept Palestinians. He also said, 'The situation is constantly changing, and perhaps Somalia has a hidden agenda on this issue.'.

Somaliland's Foreign Minister Adan confirmed to Reuters on the 14th that Somaliland has not negotiated with anyone regarding the reception of Palestinian and Gaza residents. The Associated Press reported that in the 1990s, Somaliland declared independence from Somalia, but it has not been recognized by the international community. For many years, Somaliland has been praised for its relatively stable political environment, but it remains one of the lowest income regions in the world. Somaliland leaders will prioritize seeking international recognition. US officials have confirmed that the US is in secret negotiations with Somaliland to discuss providing assistance to the US in a range of areas in exchange for recognition of US sovereignty.

The Associated Press reported that due to poverty in Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, some of which are prone to violent activities, the US Israel proposal has raised doubts about Trump's goal of resettling Gaza residents in "beautiful areas". Since January this year, Trump has proposed the idea of "emptying" the Gaza Strip and the United States taking over the Gaza Strip. According to the plan, over 2 million residents of Gaza will be permanently deported to other places. He proposed that the United States take over Gaza, oversee the lengthy "clearance" process, and develop it into a real estate project. Trump has stated that he hopes Egypt and Jordan will receive and resettle Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

But Israeli Finance Minister Smotri Hepburn said on Monday that Israel is working hard to find a country that can accommodate the people of Gaza. The Associated Press reported that the Palestinian people in Gaza rejected Trump's proposal and refuted Israel's claim that Palestinians voluntarily withdrew. Arab countries strongly oppose this and have proposed an alternative reconstruction plan to keep Palestinians in Gaza. Human rights organizations have stated that forcing Palestinians to evacuate Gaza may constitute a war crime. The forced displacement of Palestinians is a red line that should not be crossed. Professor Kamot from the Doha Graduate School in Qatar stated on the 14th that governments around the world have a responsibility to prevent this "outrageous" proposal from the United States and Israel.