S Sudan denies talks with Israel over forced transfer of Palestinians from Gaza

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S Sudan denies talks with Israel over forced transfer of Palestinians from Gaza

2025-08-15 02:03 Last Updated At：17:27

South Sudan has denied discussing with Israel about the potential resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in the East African country.

South Sudan "firmly refutes recent media reports claiming that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is engaged in discussion with the State of Israel regarding the resettlement of Palestinian Nationals from Gaza in South Sudan," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

It said the claims are baseless and do not reflect the official position or policy of the South Sudanese government.

In an interview with Israel's i24NEWS on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the Israeli troops' next plan in Gaza, saying that Israel would allow Palestinians to "voluntarily leave" the war-torn strip.

"Give them the opportunity to leave, first of all, combat zones, and generally to leave the territory, if they want," said Netanyahu.

Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated his proposal to forcibly transfer the Palestinian residents from Gaza. It came as Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel wrapped up a one-day working visit to South Sudan the same day.

On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) approved the main framework of their future combat plan in Gaza, which includes taking over Gaza City.

The Associated Press previously reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, that the United States and Israel are discussing a relocation plan with three East African nations, with South Sudan reportedly one of the countries under consideration.

U.S.-Israeli strikes hit 763 Iranian schools: Red Crescent Society

The United States and Israel have destroyed or damaged 763 schools alongside hundreds of thousands of other civilian sites across Iran since they launched joint attacks against the Middle East country on Feb 28, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS).

A total of 22,810 commercial units, 322 health and medical centers, 18 scientific and academic institutions, and 20 Red Crescent facilities have been damaged, IRCS President Pirhossein Kolivand said on Saturday.

Emergency response equipment, including three helicopters, 46 ambulances, and 48 operational vehicles, was also affected, he added.

According to Kolivand, four Red Crescent responders and two pregnant women have been killed in U.S.-Israeli attacks, with 18 emergency personnel injured.

He noted that 24 medical workers have been killed and 116 others injured.

The United States and Israel have also targeted Khuzestan petrochemical facilities, the Shalamcheh border trade terminal, Shahid Beheshti University science labs, and residential homes, the Red Crescent official said.

On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran has responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.