Mossad chief sought US help to relocate Palestinians from Gaza: Sources

Mossad Director David Barnea visited Washington this week to seek US support in persuading foreign countries to accept large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza, according to two sources cited by Axios.

Barnea reportedly met with Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, and told him that 'Israel' had been in contact with Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Libya. The Mossad chief claimed those countries expressed openness to accepting significant numbers of displaced Palestinians from Gaza.

During the meeting, Barnea proposed that the United States offer incentives to encourage those nations and assist 'Israel' in advancing the plan. One of the sources said Witkoff did not commit to the idea, and it remains unclear whether the US will take an active role in the effort.

In February, President Trump floated a proposal to remove Gaza’s entire population, nearly two million people, and rebuild the enclave. However, the White House later abandoned the idea following strong opposition from Arab states.

'Israeli' officials said the Trump administration told them that if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wished to pursue the plan, 'Israel' would need to find countries willing to receive displaced Palestinians.

Netanyahu then tasked the Mossad with identifying nations open to accepting large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza.