Egypt’s FM: Israeli Intelligence Ministry’s paper on displacing Gazans into Sinai ‘ludicrous’

CAIRO – 3 November 2023: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry described a concept paper issued by the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence as “ludicrous” in an interview with CNN that will be aired on Saturday.

Shoukry said he did not speak to Israel or any party that may raise such “ridiculous” proposal and does not plan to do so, adding that the displacement issue violates the international humanitarian law.

📣 FM Shoukry speaks w/ @amanpour @CNNi & @CNN on catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, & 🇪🇬 efforts pushing for an immediate humanitarian truce forward, sustaining aid delivery, providing exit for 3rd nationals, & preventing conflict expansion (full interview to be aired Sat 5PM CT). pic.twitter.com/v55rk4UfY1

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) November 2, 2023

The recently drafted wartime proposal has deepened Egyptian fears that Israel seeks to force Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, totaling around 2.3 million people, into North Sinai.

The office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, played down the report, saying it is just a hypothetical exercise.

Netanyahu has raised the issue with European leaders in recent meetings, urging them to put pressure on Egypt to accept refugees from Gaza, according to a report by the Financial Times on Monday, which cited some sources as saying.

Egypt has repeatedly affirmed its rejection of the Israeli plans to displace Palestinians to Egypt or other countries.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has warned that the displacement of Gazans will “liquidate” the Palestinian cause and cause the attacks against Israel to be transferred to Egyptian territories, which will threaten peace between Egypt and Israel.

Gaza has been under continued Israeli strikes since October 7 despite global calls for ceasefire, which Israeli has denied.

Continuing for nearly a month, the Israeli war in Gaza has killed more than 9,000 Palestinians and injured over 23,500 more people.

Also, around 1.4 million people have been displaced due to the Israeli air strikes, with Israel ordering residents to head to southern Gaza, which shares a border with Egypt.