Daijiworld Media Network - Cairo
Cairo, Sep 16: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Wednesday rejected any plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza, reiterating Egypt's opposition to any attempt to undermine the Palestinian cause.
El-Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo, stressing Egypt's firm position against the displacement of the Palestinian people. The Egyptian presidency also reaffirmed Cairo's support for the Palestinian Authority and efforts towards a political settlement.
Abbas praised Egypt's position in support of Palestinian rights and reiterated that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state. Egypt also said it would continue working with mediators to support implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and facilitate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts.
El-Sisi's comments came hours after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military was prepared to resume full-scale operations in Gaza if ordered to eliminate Hamas and would then implement what he described as a "migration plan".
Katz said earlier this month that Israel was prepared to facilitate the departure of Palestinians from Gaza by land and sea, while saying it was awaiting the United States' discussions on possible destinations. He has described the proposed migration as voluntary. The basis for his assertion that most Palestinians want to leave Gaza was not detailed.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has denied that Washington has a plan to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza.
The conflict has left the vast majority of Gaza's population internally displaced, while much of the territory has suffered extensive destruction. More than 73,700 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, whose figures do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
The latest exchange comes amid continuing uncertainty over the Gaza ceasefire and the future of the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is disarmed, while Egypt continues to support diplomatic efforts aimed at implementing the ceasefire and advancing humanitarian and reconstruction measures.