TEL AVIV – Israel’s foreign ministry announced that the country will provide “urgent” humanitarian aid to South Sudan to address the ongoing cholera crisis, days after a secret plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the African country was leaked to the media.
“In light of the severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, Israel’s Agency for International Development Coordination, MASHAV, “will provide urgent humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in the country,” reads a statement on X.
The assistance — which includes medical equipment, water purification supplies, gloves and face masks, special hygiene kits, and food packages — aims to address a cholera outbreak in the young country, which “suffers from a severe shortage of resources,” it adds.
IsraAID, an Israeli non-governmental organization operating in South Sudan, will also assist in the aid operation, adds the ministry.
Since September 2024, South Sudan has faced a severe cholera outbreak with cases soaring to around 70,000 and nearly 2,000 related fatalities. The outbreak is fueled by factors like poor water and sanitation, displacement due to conflict and flooding, and inadequate access to healthcare.
The situation is particularly alarming due to the onset of the rainy season, which typically increases the risk of cholera transmission.
Palestinian relocation plan
On August 12, the Associated Press reported that Israel had been in talks with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from war-torn Gaza to the African country, as part of a wider effort by Israel to implement an initial plan to expel residents of the enclave devastated by two years of war.
Six people familiar with the matter confirmed to AP that talks have taken place, although it is unclear how far they have advanced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he wants to realize US President Donald Trump’s vision of relocating much of Gaza’s population through what Netanyahu refers to as “voluntary migration.”
Israel has floated similarly resettlement proposals with other African nations, including Sudan and Somalia.
Palestinians, rights groups, and much of the international community have rejected the proposals as a blueprint for forcible expulsion in violation of international law.
In return for hosting the Palestinian refugees, South Sudan is seeking to build closer ties to Israel and a potential appeasement of President Trump to lift targeted sanctions on officials in the country.
Juba refutes
South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation “firmly refutes” recent media reports claiming that Juba is engaging in discussion with the State of Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian Nationals from Gaza to the country.
This comes after Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Israel has been in talks with South Sudan about issue, which is part of an initial plan to expel residents of the enclave devastated by two years of war.
“These claims are baseless and do not reflect the official position or policy of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan,” a statement from the foreign ministry noted.
It didn’t deny if the discussion indeed took place. But it urged “all media outlets to exercise due diligence and verify information through official channels before publication.”
