Jordan warns against expelling Gazans to Egypt, says Arab states pledged collective action

CAIRO – 13 October 2023: Jordan has warned against attempts of expelling Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and exporting the current crisis to the neighboring countries.

In phone calls with a number of counterparts, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi said all Arab countries have pledged collective action against any attempt to expel Palestinians from their homeland in an emergency meeting of foreign ministers on Wednesday.

The Arab states also warned against any attempts to exacerbate the issue of refugees, Safadi said, affirming that the rights of these refugees in return and compensation must be met as part of a comprehensive solution for the conflict.

Egypt has also voiced rejection of potential attempts to force Palestinians to leave their lands toward Sinai, warning that this will mean a termination for the Palestinian cause.

In a speech at the graduation ceremony of Egypt’s military students on Thursday, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed that Palestinians have to remain steadfast and present on their own land.

He stressed that Egypt will exert its utmost efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, including delivering medical and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian lands.

Sisi also called for parties of the conflict to prioritize reason and wisdom, ensure the protection of civilians, women and children, and return to negotiations.

Sisi said Egypt is fully prepared to utilize all its capabilities and efforts in mediation in coordination with effective international and regional partners “without any restrictions or conditions.”

Israel has leveled up its airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the past days, killing hundreds of Palestinians including children and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Since the start of the current conflict, Egypt has been calling for both sides of the conflict to prioritize de-escalation and exercise utmost restraint.

Egypt has also made intensive contacts with international influential parties as well the Palestinian and Israeli sides to contain the situation.

Egypt has warned of the conflict’s consequences on the lives of Palestinian and Israeli civilians and its potential risks on the region’s security and stability.

Moreover, Egypt has stressed keenness to provide aid to the Palestinians in Gaza, which total more than 2 million people.