CAIRO – 16 October 2023: Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States does not support the idea of relocating Gaza residents to Sinai as it has been rejected by countries in the region.
“We’ve heard, and I’ve heard directly from Palestinian Authority President Abbas and from virtually every other leader that I’ve talked to in the region, that that idea is a nonstarter, and so we do not support it,” Blinken said in an interview with Al-Arabiya on Sunday.
Blinken said that the US believes that Gazan people should be able to stay in the strip, which is their home.
“However, we also want to make sure that they’re out of harm’s way and that they’re getting the assistance they need,” Blinken added.
The US state secretary said Egypt is fully ready to facilitate the departure of foreign nationals from Gaza, adding that the US is working with Cairo to deliver assistance to the strip.
“We’re putting in place a system – working with the United Nations, working with Egypt, working with other countries – to make sure that the assistance can get into Gaza, get to the people who need it,” Blinken said.
He, however, blamed Hamas for blocking the departure of foreign nationals.
“Israel is not blocking the departure of foreign nationals. The problem has been Hamas has disrupted that, and of course, we have to make the necessary arrangements,” he stated.
Egypt has 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.
Moreover, Sisi chaired yesterday a meeting for the National Security Council. The meeting voiced rejection of the displacement policy against Palestinians and attempts to terminate their cause at the expense of neighboring states.
The council stressed that its national security is a red line and that there will be no compromise when it comes to its protection.
Met with Egyptian President @AlsisiOfficial in Cairo to discuss efforts to halt Hamas’ terrorist attacks and to secure the release of hostages, protect civilians, facilitate safe passage of American citizens, and ensure humanitarian aid can reach Palestinian civilians. pic.twitter.com/hrwITeO6fO
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 15, 2023
Blinken was in Cairo on Sunday as part of his Middle East tour to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian escalation, during which he met with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Head of the General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel.
During their meeting, Sisi warned against the repercussions of the ongoing military escalation in Gaza on the Middle East region, stressing that Egypt is working to ensure de-escalation.
Sisi affirmed the need for decisive action to reduce the ongoing tensions and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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