Egypt mobilizes Arab support to thwart US scheme for displacing Palestinians out of Gaza Strip, West Bank

CAIRO – 7 February 2025: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made a series of phone calls with several Arab counterparts to mass regional efforts in a bid to thwart the US proposal of displacing the Palestinian people out of their territories.

Upon directives from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Abdelatty phoned Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain (current president of the Arab Summit), Jordan, Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Sudan. The Arab Foreign Ministers addressed the latest developments of the Palestinian issue and the catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Friday.

The Arab Foreign Ministers affirmed their countries’ firm stances towards the Palestinian cause, rejecting any procedures aiming to displace the Palestinian people from their lands or to encourage their transfer to any other countries. The Ministers affirmed that these procedures violate the international laws, trespass on the Palestinians’ rights, endanger the security and stability in the region, and undermine opportunities of peaceful coexistence among nations.

The Arab discussions led to a consensus on the necessity “to reach a permanent and just political solution to the Palestinian issue through the only practical path, which is the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.”

The Egyptian Minister reviewed Egypt’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the implementation of all its provisions in its three phases, the rapid delivery of humanitarian aid, and efforts to move forward with early reconstruction projects and programs, without making the Palestinians leave Gaza.

Abdelatty also Egypt's support for the legitimate and inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. 

Additionally, the Arab ministers agreed to intensify communications between them during the coming period and to continue consultation and coordination with the rest of the Arab ministers.

Last week, 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.”

The US President also insisted that his country will forcily displace the Palestininas out of their lands of Gaza and West Bank to Egypt and Jordan, respectvily, despite Egyptian and Jordanian rejections

‘Egypt never be party to displacement of Palestinians’

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.

Additional reporting by Amr Mohamed Kandil