FM Shoukry affirms to Guterres Egypt’s rejection of displacement of Palestinians

CAIRO – 7 December 2023: Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry reiterated Egypt’s full rejection of attempts to displace Palestinians, whether internally or outside their country in a phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday.

Shoukry and Guterres held in-depth discussions on the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in the Gaza Strip and the diplomatic efforts made to restore truce, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

They stressed the need to reach a permanent humanitarian ceasefire to stop the bloodshed of Palestinian civilians and allow people in Gaza to access humanitarian aid in an adequate and sustainable way.

During the call, Shoukry highlighted the efforts made by Egypt in collaboration with international parties toward ending the war in Gaza.

The Egyptian foreign minister stressed the need for full activation of the two resolutions recently adopted by the UN and UN General Assembly. He called for building on these resolutions to reach a permanent ceasefire and enhance access to humanitarian aid in Gaza.

Guterres praised the role played by Egypt in dealing with the deteriorating security and humanitarian situations in Gaza since the beginning of the current crisis. He also hailed the Egyptian efforts to facilitate the delivery of aid to those in need in the strip as quickly as possible.

Shoukry also praised the vital role of the UN Secretary General and the way he deals with the crisis and its implications. He affirmed Egypt’s keenness to continue firm consultations and coordination with the UN and its relevant agencies to contain the exacerbating situation in Gaza and put an end to blatant Israeli aggression and violations.

Since the Israeli war started in Gaza on 7 October, Egypt and Jordan have warned against Israel’s plans to relocate Gazans to Egypt or Sinai, warning that such move will liquidate the Palestinian cause.

In his speech at “Long Live Egypt: A People’s Response in Solidarity with Palestine” conference in November, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said the displacement of Palestinians outside their lands is a “red line” to Egypt and will not be accepted.

Head of the Egyptian State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan stressed on Wednesday that the Israeli endeavors to displace Palestinians, whether internally or outside their lands, lack global support.

Meanwhile, the Israeli side has not abandoned its endeavors to forcibly displace Palestinians despite its awareness of the Egyptian and Jordanian serious rejection of these attempts, Rashwan said.