US halts visitor visas for Gaza residents
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The US halts visitor visas for Palestinians in Gaza amid political pressure, as "Israel" discusses displacement plans with South Sudan.
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The US Department of State building is seen in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 (AP)
The US State Department announced on Saturday that it was suspending all visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, as it undertakes what it described as a "full and thorough" review.
The department noted that "a small number" of temporary medical-humanitarian visas had been issued in recent days, though it did not specify the exact figure.
According to an analysis of monthly figures on the US State Department's website, the US issued over 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas, which allow foreigners to receive medical treatment in the United States, to holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents, including 640 visas granted in May.
The State Department's decision to suspend visitor visas for individuals from Gaza follows claims by Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and Donald Trump ally, who stated on social media Friday that Palestinian "refugees" had recently entered the US.
Loomer's remarks triggered backlash from some Republicans, including Texas Representative Chip Roy, who said he would look into the issue, and Florida Representative Randy Fine, who called it a "national security risk."
'Israel' discusses 'relocation' of Palestinians with South Sudan
This comes as "Israel" tries to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza under the guise of temporary relocations, and most recently holding discussions with South Sudan to move forward with this plan
Palestinian leaders have strongly rejected reports of discussions between South Sudan and Israel about resettling Palestinians from Gaza in the African country, condemning the proposal as an effort to enforce mass displacement.
According to three informed sources who spoke to Reuters, South Sudanese and Israeli officials have held discussions about the matter without reaching an agreement, with the talks reportedly occurring after South Sudan’s Foreign Minister, Monday Semaya Kumba, visited the occupied Palestinian territories last month.
This version of events seems to contradict earlier statements from South Sudan's Foreign Ministry, which had dismissed reports of such talks as "baseless," though the ministry has not yet addressed these new allegations.
