South Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has denied reports that the government is in talks with Israel to settle Palestinians in the country.

The ministry, in a statement issued described the reports as “baseless” and stated that they did not represent the “official position or policy” of the South Sudanese government.

He added that the media should "do due diligence" before publishing information and report it by verifying official government sources.

The ministry issued the denial following reports circulating in various media outlets over the past 24 hours that Israel is in talks with South Sudan regarding a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.

Reports indicate that the plan is part of a broader effort by Israel to force residents of the devastated Gaza Strip to flee their country en masse after a 22-month military campaign against Hamas.