Libya has emerged as a vocal opponent of reported Israeli efforts to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to foreign territories, including Libya itself. According to Hanna Tetteh, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Libyans have made their rejection of such proposals unmistakably clear.
Speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency, Tetteh emphasized that public discourse across Libyan social media platforms reflects overwhelming resistance to any plans involving the resettlement of Palestinians on Libyan soil. “I don’t believe the majority of Libyans would accept this,” she said. “I haven’t encountered any official stance in favor of such ideas.”
This widespread opposition has persisted since October 7, 2023, when Israeli authorities began advancing scenarios of forced displacement from Gaza. Media reports—both Israeli occupation and Western—have speculated about Libya as a potential destination, prompting strong reactions from Libyan citizens who view such plans as unacceptable and politically coercive.