Egypt renews its rejection of all Israeli attempts to displace Gaza residents, high-ranking source

CAIRO – 9 August 2024: Egypt renewed on Friday its categorical rejection of all Israeli attempts to displace the residents of the Gaza Strip and push them towards Egyptian territory to ‘empty the Palestinian issue of its context’.

According to a high-ranking source the Egyptian position towards the Palestinian issue is firm and clear and cannot be compromised.

The source added that Egypt has adhered to the utmost levels of restraint since the beginning of the war in Gaza, hoping to achieve calm and avoid entering the region into a vicious circle of conflict.

The source affirmed that Israel's promotion of allegations about the existence of tunnel openings inside Egyptian territory ‘is completely untrue’.

The leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have issued a joint invitation to Israel and Hamas to participate in critical discussions on Thursday, 15 August, in either Doha or Cairo to negotiate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

“It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families,” a joint statement by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, US President Joe Biden, and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani read on Thursday.

“The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal.”

The three leaders noted that Thursday’s talks aim to close all remaining gaps between both sides and start the implementation of the ceasefire deal “without further delay.”

“There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay. It is time to release the hostages, begin the ceasefire, and implement this agreement.”

The statement highlighted that this deal is based on the principles outlined by the US president on May 31, and endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735.

In the statement, Egypt, Qatar, and the US have offered their assistance in bridging any remaining gaps to meet the requirements of both sides.

This joint statement follows ten months since the commencement of the Israeli war in Gaza, which has resulted in a devastating toll, with nearly 40,000 fatalities, over 91,000 injuries, the displacement of most of Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants, and the enclave facing the looming threat of famine.

The war was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israeli communities near Gaza on October 7, during which Palestinian fighters captured around 250 Israelis and foreign nationals.