Egypt to counter Trump's Gaza takeover plot with its own proposal
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Egypt is preparing a proposal to rebuild Gaza that guarantees that Palestinians stay in their land.
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The Egyptian flag flies near the Suez Canal in Ismailia, Egypt, on February 4, 2015. (AP)
Egypt plans to submit a "comprehensive proposal" focused on rebuilding the Gaza Strip while ensuring that Palestinians stay in their homeland, the country's Foreign Ministry stated on Tuesday.
The ministry emphasized that Cairo will cooperate with United States President Donald Trump to reach "a just settlement of the Palestinian cause that takes into account the rights of the peoples of the region."
"Any solution to the Palestinian cause must take into account avoiding jeopardizing peace gains in the region," a statement released by the ministry underlined.
Al Qahera News, citing Egyptian officials, said that Cairo had confirmed its rejection of resettling Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and that it adheres to this "firm position."
This statement follows President Donald Trump's call for a "takeover" of the Gaza Strip, where he has advocated for the forced displacement of Palestinians from the territory. Trump's inflammatory remarks not only incite the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians but also flagrantly disregard international law, the will of regional governments, and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.
Read more: Egypt's FM affirms rejection of Trump's 'Gaza plan' to Rubio
Trump's plan centers on coercing neighboring countries to accept forcibly displaced Palestinians and designate territories for their involuntary resettlement. The primary nations targeted in this proposal are Egypt and Jordan, both of which have rejected the idea of displacing Palestinians.
According to Al Qahera News' sources, Egypt will not accept any proposal that aims to allocate land for Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip. Cairo also expressed its frustration with the statements made by Israeli and American officials concerning the Palestinian cause.
Meanwhile, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stressed on Tuesday the need to commence the reconstruction process in Gaza, rejecting the forced displacement of its residents despite Donald Trump's threats of cutting off aid to Egypt and Jordan if they refused to take in Palestinians.
During a phone call with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, el-Sisi focused on reconstruction to make the Gaza Strip inhabitable, affirming the "preservation of the Palestinians' rights and their ability to live on their land."
Read more: Trump pushes for US control over Gaza in talks with Jordan's King
