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Recent reports indicate that Israeli and US officials are considering Morocco and two autonomous regions of Somalia—Puntland and Somaliland—as potential destinations for relocating Gazans under a proposed plan.
The Proposal
The proposal, initially put forth by former US President Donald Trump, aims to move Gazans from the war-torn enclave to other regions. The idea has resurfaced recently, with discussions focusing on three potential destinations: Morocco, Puntland, and Somaliland.
Morocco’s Role
Morocco normalized relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords. However, Rabat has not responded to requests for comment on the proposed relocation plan, and it is unlikely that Morocco will accept plans for Palestinian resettlement within the country.
Somalia’s Autonomous Regions: Puntland and Somaliland
Puntland and Somaliland, while internationally recognized as states within the Federal Republic of Somalia, hold varying degrees of autonomy. Somaliland has effectively acted as an independent country since 1991, while Puntland declared its autonomy in early 2024.
Mixed Reactions
Puntland’s deputy information minister, Yacob Mohamed Abdalla, stated that his region would accept Palestinian refugees voluntarily. Somaliland has also expressed willingness to accept refugees, with officials suggesting that Gazans could contribute to the region’s modernization and economic development.
Opposition and Concerns
The proposal has faced opposition from Arab countries and the international community, with concerns about the feasibility and ethical implications of relocating Gazans to these regions.
The discussions around relocating Gazans to Morocco and the two Somali regions remain in the early stages, with no formal agreements in place. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the proposal raises significant humanitarian and geopolitical concerns.