Egypt Denies Plan to Relocate 500,000 Gazans to Sinai

Egypt has denied reports it would temporarily absorb 500,000 Gazans in Sinai as part of a Trump plan. Cairo emphasized its commitment to not displacing Palestinians while proposing a reconstruction plan for Gaza. President Sisi has rejected claims of accepting refugees, asserting a political process for Gaza’s governance. The Egyptian plan faces opposition from Israel and the U.S., amid ongoing violence in the region.

Egypt has officially refuted claims regarding its decision to temporarily accommodate 500,000 Palestinians from Gaza in the northern Sinai region as part of former President Donald Trump’s contentious proposal for Gaza. The State Information Service of Cairo stated that these allegations are entirely false and conflict with Egypt’s unwavering stance against the forced or voluntary displacement of Palestinians.

This denial followed reports from Lebanese media outlet Al-Akhbar, which suggested that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had conveyed a willingness to accept Gazans during discussions with Arab leaders in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. However, Egypt reaffirms its commitment to a plan proposed at the recent Cairo emergency Arab Summit, which emphasizes the rebuilding of Gaza without displacing its residents.

President Sisi has consistently opposed President Trump’s assertion that Egypt and Jordan could permanently absorb Palestinian refugees, branding it an effort to ethnically cleanse Gaza into what Trump termed an “Eastern Mediterranean Riviera.” Egypt outlined its reconstruction plan at a March Arab League summit, stressing that it envisions no displacement, despite alleged initiatives by the United States and Israel aiming to remove Palestinians from Gaza.

The Egyptian proposal includes creating an independent committee to manage Gaza for six months, after which governance would revert to the Palestinian Authority. While not explicitly referencing Hamas, the plan suggests that the future of armed groups in Gaza will be addressed through a political process aimed at establishing a Palestinian state. Israel and the United States have both dismissed Egypt’s reconstruction proposal, with Israel resuming heavy bombardment of Gaza, resulting in significant casualties this week. Egypt, the first Arab nation to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, faces domestic controversy, with public sentiment largely supporting the Palestinian cause.

In summary, Egypt has categorically dismissed reports regarding the temporary relocation of Gazans to Sinai as part of a proposed plan by the United States. The Egyptian government asserts its dedication to reconstructing Gaza without displacing its people, reinforcing its stance against any form of ethnic cleansing. The proposed independent governance of Gaza by a technocratic committee marks a significant step toward negotiations aimed at Palestinian statehood. However, both Israel and the United States have rejected this plan, leading to ongoing violence in the region. Egypt’s historical relationship with Israel continues to provoke tension among its populace, who largely advocate for Palestinian rights and sovereignty.

Original Source: www.newarab.com