Egypt warned Israel on Thursday against implementing any plan to displace Palestinians, rejecting such proposals and initiating a diplomatic effort to prevent their realisation. The warning follows reports of a US proposal for mass relocation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement cautioning against repercussions stemming from statements by several Israeli government members regarding potential displacement plans. Such actions, the statement declared, would constitute “a flagrant and blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law, and a blatant violation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”
The statement continued: “Egypt also affirms that the continuation of such irresponsible ideas, which entail a grave violation of international law, exacerbates the already tense situation and puts the international community to a real test regarding its responsibilities in preventing the return of such hostile practices that contradict the foundations of peace and stability in the region.”
Egypt reiterated its “complete rejection of such irresponsible statements in their entirety,” emphasizing its “total rejection of any proposal or conception aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause by displacing Palestinians from their historical lands and seizing them, whether gradually or permanently.” Cairo warned that such actions would violate Palestinian rights, fuel violence, and escalate the conflict.
Egypt called on the international community to “shoulder its responsibilities to stop any attempts to entrench the occupation at the expense of Palestinian rights.” It demanded action against all forms of displacement, persecution, and expulsion, urging the activation of international will to protect Palestinian rights and restore their legitimate rights under international law.
Concurrently, Egypt has launched behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to counter a proposal by US President Donald Trump for the mass relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, the Associated Press reported.
Speaking anonymously on Wednesday, Egyptian officials stated that Cairo has informed the Trump administration and Israel of its opposition to any such proposal. They added that the nearly half-century-old peace deal with Israel is at risk.
A Western diplomat in Cairo, also speaking anonymously to AP, confirmed receiving this message from Egypt through multiple channels. The diplomat characterized Egypt’s position as serious, viewing the plan as a threat to its national security.
The diplomat further revealed that Egypt had already rejected earlier proposals from the Biden administration and European countries to accept some Gazan refugees after the Hamas-led 7 October 2023 attack in southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. These earlier proposals were private, while Trump announced his plan publicly at a White House press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.