Israel is in discussions with South Sudan about the possibility of resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to the war-torn East African country, part of a wider effort by Israel to facilitate mass emigration from the territory left in ruins by its 22-month offensive against Hamas.

South Sudan’s government denied reports that it’s in talks with Israel about relocating Palestinians from the Gaza Strip in the East African nation.

Diplomatic visits between Israel and South Sudan signal progress on controversial discussions about relocating Palestinians from Gaza, though South Sudanese officials publicly deny such plans What began as an idea circulating quietly in diplomatic and policy circles now appears to be advancing.