Egypt reiterates firm rejection of Trump's Gaza displacement plan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Feb 2025 18:32

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also emphasized the importance of preserving Iraq’s security and stability.

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A truck carrying mobile homes crosses the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, in preparation for entering Gaza, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025 (AP)

Egypt firmly rejects any proposals aimed at displacing the Palestinian people in order to not "liquidate" the Palestinian cause and to avoid risking the national security of countries in the region, the Egyptian presidency stated in a communique on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump has sparked widespread anger across the Arab world with a plan to permanently displace more than two million Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, place the enclave under US control, and transform it into an international beach resort.

On March 4, Egypt is set to host an emergency Arab League summit, which will focus on coordinated Arab efforts to counter Trump’s plan and his calls for Egypt and Jordan to receive displaced Palestinians from Gaza. Both nations have categorically rejected the proposal, citing concerns over their national security.

Arab leaders convened on Friday in the Saudi capital Riyadh for a meeting attended by representatives from the Gulf states, Egypt, and Jordan.

Reuters cited sources familiar with the discussions as saying that the talks explored a primarily Egyptian-led initiative that could involve up to $20 billion in funding over three years from Gulf and Arab nations, though no official confirmation has been issued.

El-Sisi emphasizes importance of preserving Iraq’s security, stability

In a different context, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized on Tuesday the importance of preserving Iraq’s security and stability and reaffirmed his country's readiness to mobilize all necessary resources to support development efforts and fulfill the aspirations of the Iraqi people.

According to a statement by Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed el-Shennawy, published on the official website, el-Sisi received Ammar al-Hakim, leader of Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement, along with his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Egyptian General Intelligence Chief Hassan Rashad.

Al-Hakim expressed appreciation for the historic ties between the two nations and their peoples, highlighting Egypt’s pivotal role in maintaining regional security and stability, as well as its continued support for Iraq across various sectors.

The meeting also addressed regional developments and their implications, underscoring the urgent need for the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza in its various phases, facilitating the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.

Both sides stressed the importance of initiating early recovery efforts and reconstructing Gaza without displacing its residents, firmly rejecting any proposals for their relocation. They reiterated that such displacement would liquidate the Palestinian cause and pose a threat to the national security of countries in the region.

They also agreed on the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state along the June 4, 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital, considering it the only guarantee for achieving lasting peace in the region.

Additionally, the meeting also touched on developments in Syria, emphasizing the need to preserve the country's unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, as well as the imperative of launching an inclusive political process that encompasses all segments of the Syrian population, leading to the adoption of a constitution and the holding of elections.

The importance of ending the occupation of Syrian territories was also reaffirmed.

Furthermore, the discussions covered broader regional dynamics, with both sides stressing the need to sustain efforts to restore stability across the region, prevent escalation, and avert a broader conflict, given the potential negative consequences for all regional nations and their people.