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 cabinet has agreed to receive Palestinians from the Gaza Strip following a request from Israel, The Telegraph has learnt.

A visiting Israeli deputy minister on Wednesday denied reports that South Sudan was in talks to accept Palestinians resettled from Gaza, following a social media backlash against the alleged plan in the African nation.