Washington, D.C. - The Biden administration is reportedly considering a plan to offer a safe haven to certain Palestinian refugees by bringing them to the United States.

Amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, the White House is contemplating the use of the United States Refugee Admissions Program to welcome Palestinians with U.S. ties who have managed to escape the war-torn region and enter neighboring Egypt. This initiative, if implemented, would allow eligible individuals to resettle in the U.S. after passing a series of eligibility, medical, and security screenings.

The administration's consideration of this proposal marks a significant shift in the U.S.'s approach to the resettlement of Palestinian refugees, a population that has historically seen relatively low numbers resettled in the country. Over the past decade, of the more than 400,000 refugees resettled by the U.S., fewer than 600 were Palestinian.

This development comes as the Biden administration has recently taken steps to improve the lives of Palestinians, including the provision of financial assistance to Palestinian refugees through contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and other humanitarian efforts. The White House has also helped more than 1,800 American citizens and their families leave Gaza since the war began.

While the potential resettlement of Palestinian refugees would offer a lifeline to some fleeing the Israel-Hamas conflict, it is expected to be a relatively small-scale effort. The move has already garnered criticism from some quarters, with concerns raised about the impact on U.S. immigration policies and potential national security risks.

The White House has emphasized that the U.S. categorically rejects any actions leading to the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank or the redrawing of the borders of Gaza.

As the Biden administration continues to weigh its options, the world watches closely to see how this potential resettlement effort will unfold and what implications it may have for U.S. policy on refugees and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.