Egypt: We will not be party to any proposal aiming at displacement of Palestinians

CAIRO – 6 February 2025: Egypt has warned of the repercussions following today's statements by several members of the Israeli government regarding the commencement of a plan to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from their land.

Egypt said that this constitutes a blatant and flagrant violation of international law, and the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. Egypt also called for accountability.

Egypt emphasized the catastrophic consequences that could arise from this irresponsible behavior, which undermines and sabotages the ceasefire negotiations, incites the resumption of fighting, and poses significant risks to the entire region and the foundations of peace.

“Egypt firmly and totally rejects such Israeli reckless statements,” the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Egypt emphasizes its complete rejection of any proposal or concept aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause by forcibly uprooting or displacing the Palestinian people from their historical land and seizing it, whether temporarily or permanently.”

Egypt warned that the repercussions of these ideas are considered injustice and an infringement on the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, saying “Egypt will not be a party to it.”

Egypt underscored the necessity of addressing the root causes of the conflict as the Palestinian people living under occupation for decades, enduring displacement, persecution, and discrimination in all forms.

“This must end immediately, and the Palestinian people must regain their inalienable rights in line with the principles of international legitimacy’” Egypt said.

Egypt reiterated the necessity of implementing the ceasefire in Gaza in its three stages and ensuring its permanence.

Egypt expressed its readiness to collaborate immediately with international partners and allies to implement plans for early recovery, debris removal, and reconstruction within a specified timeframe, without displacing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, particularly as they remain committed to their historical land and steadfastly refuse to leave it.

During his meeting with Palestinian counterpart Mohammad Mustafa in Cairo on Thursday, Egypt’ Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stressed Egypt's stance, as articulated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in rejecting any proposals that entail the displacement of the Palestinian people from their lands in Gaza.

Madbouly reiterated Egypt's unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. These rights particularly include the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, he emphasized.

Madbouly’s remarks come after US President Donald Trump unveiled plans for the US to “take over” and “own” the Gaza Strip “long-term” to develop it, while moving Palestinians elsewhere.

At a joint press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, Trump asserted that the US will turn Gaza into a development project that could be “the Riviera of the Middle East.”

Additional reporting by Amr Mohamed Kandil