Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, ensuring that no Palestinians will be displaced as part of the recovery efforts.
During a press briefing in Cairo on Sunday, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that Egypt’s efforts toward Gaza remain unwavering and that the country has a “clear vision” for rebuilding the war-torn region. He emphasized that the reconstruction plan will adhere to the three-stage ceasefire agreement, which aims to address specific requirements for Gaza’s future. “We are determined to rebuild Gaza without forcing any citizen to leave their land,” Abdelatty declared.
The statement came in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that Palestinians in Gaza be relocated to Egypt and Jordan. Trump, who referred to Gaza as a “demolition site” after Israel’s extensive military operations, proposed displacing Palestinians from the enclave. Both Cairo and Amman immediately rejected the proposal, highlighting the sovereignty of Palestinians over their land.
This development coincided with a six-nation Arab ministerial meeting held in Cairo on Saturday, where the ministers collectively condemned the idea of Palestinian displacement. The ministers reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution, calling for a resolution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and ensures peace in the region.
Trump’s controversial remarks followed the implementation of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza on January 19, 2024, which brought a temporary halt to the violence between Israel and Gaza. The conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in significant loss of life, with nearly 47,500 casualties, mostly women and children, and over 111,000 others wounded. While the ceasefire has offered a reprieve, the immense scale of destruction in Gaza has created an urgent need for humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
In related news, Egypt’s Foreign Minister also addressed growing concerns over security in the Red Sea, calling for enhanced measures to ensure maritime safety and freedom of navigation. He strongly rejected any foreign military presence from countries not bordering the Red Sea, following a series of Houthi-led missile and drone attacks on Israeli-linked ships during the Gaza conflict. However, tensions in the region have begun to subside with the recent ceasefire.
In a separate meeting, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed bilateral relations with Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf. The two leaders also focused on the political developments in Somalia and the broader Red Sea region. Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia have been rising since January 2024, following Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland to use the Berbera port on the Red Sea. Türkiye has been actively mediating efforts to ease these tensions.
Meanwhile, the long-standing dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) continues to shape regional geopolitics. Egypt has voiced concerns over the potential impact of the dam on its Nile water share, while Ethiopia maintains that the project is essential for its development and energy needs.