Egypt has reaffirmed on Sunday February 2 its commitment to the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, stating that its efforts will ensure Palestinians are not displaced from their land. Speaking at a news conference in Cairo, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized that Egypt has a “clear vision” for Gaza’s rebuilding, which includes fulfilling the requirements of the ceasefire agreement in three stages.
His statement came after a week-end of intense diplomatic discussions, with Egypt rejecting US proposals that suggested relocating Gaza’s Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan following the devastating conflict with Israel.
This diplomatic rebuttal follows controversial comments by US President Donald Trump, who labelled Gaza a “demolition site” and suggested that Palestinians should be moved out of the enclave. Both Egypt and Jordan swiftly rejected the suggestion, stressing their commitment to the Palestinian people and reaffirming their stance against any forced displacement. A recent Arab ministerial meeting in Cairo also voiced strong opposition to the idea, renewing calls for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and expressing solidarity with the displaced Palestinians in Gaza.
In addition to addressing Gaza, Minister Abdelatty also discussed security concerns in the Red Sea region. He strongly condemned any foreign military presence in the area from countries not bordering the Red Sea, advocating instead for enhanced security and free maritime navigation. Tensions in the region had flared up earlier in the Gaza conflict when Yemen’s Houthi group launched drone and missile attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, Egypt continues to navigate complex regional issues, including its long-standing disputes with Ethiopia over the Nile River dam project and escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia.
