Cairo (Web Desk/Agencies): The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on On Thursday issued a stern warning against proposals to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, describing these ideas as "unjust, a violation of Palestinian rights, and a threat to regional stability."
The ministry firmly rejected any efforts aimed at "liquidating the Palestinian cause" by forcibly displacing Palestinians from their land, whether this was for a temporary or permanent period.
Egypt called for addressing the root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, emphasizing the need to end the "decades of occupation, displacement, persecution, and discrimination" that Palestinians have faced. The statement stressed the importance of restoring the "inalienable Palestinian rights" as outlined by international law.
The statement followed comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who had earlier outlined a controversial plan by US President Donald Trump for Gaza, which included "temporary relocation" of Palestinians to Arab-majority nations.
Egypt strongly condemned this plan and warned that such actions would constitute a "flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and basic Palestinian rights."
The country further underscored that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians would have disastrous consequences for regional peace.
In addition, Egypt called for a halt to any provocative rhetoric or actions that could inflame tensions and deepen the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It also stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized the importance of beginning recovery efforts, including rubble removal and rebuilding, without displacing the Palestinian population.
Egypt reaffirmed its readiness to collaborate with international partners to support the reconstruction of Gaza within a clearly defined timeframe, ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land.
This position aligns with the stance taken by other regional actors, such as Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, who have all rejected the US proposal. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reiterated this sentiment last week, stating that "Egypt cannot participate in the injustice of displacing the Palestinian people."
He further emphasized Egypt's commitment to working with the US to achieve peace in the Middle East based on a two-state solution.
Meanwhile, in the face of growing international concern, the debate reignited when President Trump doubled down on his controversial plan, despite earlier remarks from the White House that seemed to distance the administration from it.
He said that Palestinians would be relocated to safer, more prosperous regions with modern housing and better living conditions. At the same time, the US would oversee the reconstruction of the territory decimated by Israeli airstrikes.
“They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free,” wrote Donald Trump.
