Egypt has denied reports of plans to absorb 500,000 Gazans in Sinai as part of Trump’s proposal. The country asserts that it will not forcibly displace Palestinians and aims to rebuild Gaza while supporting the establishment of an independent governing committee for the region. Egypt’s stance is consistent with its rejection of ethnic cleansing claims and solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Egypt has unequivocally rejected media assertions claiming that it plans to temporarily resettle 500,000 Palestinian Gazans in the northern Sinai region as part of former President Donald Trump’s contentious proposal for Gaza. The State Information Service of Cairo emphasized that these allegations are “fundamentally and completely inconsistent with Egypt’s firm and principled position of absolute rejection of any attempt to forcibly or voluntarily displace our Palestinian brothers.”
The denial comes in response to a report from the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which suggested that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi expressed willingness to absorb Gazans during recent discussions with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Cairo reiterates that its stance is centered on a reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, presented during a recent emergency Arab Summit, intended to aid the region without displacing its residents.
In his public comments, President Sisi has continually dismissed claims from President Trump that Egypt and Jordan could permanently accommodate Palestinian refugees, which some perceive as an attempt to ethnically cleanse Gaza. Sisi’s administration remains focused on rebuilding Gaza, devastated by extensive Israeli attacks over 17 months, while ensuring the preservation of its population.
Additionally, Egypt proposed an independent committee of technocrats to govern Gaza for six months before transferring authority back to the Palestinian Authority. This initiative does not specifically reference Hamas, suggesting a broader political framework for addressing the future of all armed groups in the region. Nevertheless, both Israel and the US have rejected this Egyptian plan, amidst ongoing violence resulting in numerous casualties in Gaza.
While Egypt made history as the first Arab nation to normalize relations with Israel, public sentiment remains predominantly supportive of the Palestinian cause, making the concept of accepting Gazans in Sinai a particularly sensitive topic within the country.
Egypt has categorically denied allegations of intending to relocate a substantial number of Palestinians to Sinai, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining the population of Gaza. The government’s focus remains on reconstruction efforts and political resolution rather than repatriation, a stance supported by the broader Arab community. Despite ongoing tensions and violence surrounding the issue, Egypt continues to advocate for the rights and future of the Palestinian people without displacement.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
