Egypt to present 'vision' to rebuild Gaza without displacement

Egypt has stated that it is developing a "comprehensive vision" aimed at rebuilding the war-torn Gaza Strip and ensuring the right of Palestinians to remain on their land. This vision differs from the proposal put forward by U.S. President Donald Trump, which suggested relocating Palestinians to other countries. Egypt aims to offer a stable and sustainable future for Palestinians within their homeland.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated its desire to work with the Trump administration to reach a "just solution to the Palestinian issue." This followed a meeting between Trump and Jordan's King Abdullah II, during which Trump reiterated his plan for the U.S. to take over Gaza and permanently relocate the two million Palestinians living there to Jordan, Egypt, and other areas. The ministry hopes to foster cooperation and dialogue toward a fair resolution.

King Abdullah stated that all Arab countries opposed this idea, and that Egypt would propose an alternative. The United Nations has warned that any forced displacement of the region's population would violate international law and "amount to ethnic cleansing." The international community emphasizes the importance of upholding international law and human rights.

Meanwhile, there are growing concerns that fighting in Gaza could resume. This comes after the Israeli Prime Minister warned Hamas that Israel would end the ceasefire if the Palestinian militant group did not "release our hostages by Saturday." Benjamin Netanyahu issued this ultimatum after Hamas stated it would delay the release of more hostages, claiming that Israel had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The potential breakdown of the ceasefire has raised alarms about escalating conflict.

While attending the White House meeting with King Abdullah, Trump stated that he had made "tremendous progress" on his proposal to take over Gaza. He told reporters: "If the United States controlled that land...the Middle East could be stabilized for the first time ever. And the Palestinians, or the people that live in Gaza right now, would live in another beautiful place." Trump's remarks sparked controversy and further fueled concerns about his approach to the conflict.

When pressed by reporters about the plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians to Jordan, King Abdullah said: "We have to remember that Egypt and the Arab countries have a plan." Later, the King stated on social media that he had "reiterated Jordan's firm position against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank" during the meeting, adding: "This is a unified Arab position." The King's statements underscore the regional opposition to forced displacement.

Prior to the meeting, Trump had stated that he "might" cut off aid to Jordan and Egypt if they refused to cooperate with his plan and accept displaced Gazans. Shortly after the King's remarks, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated its desire to work with the Trump administration to reach a "just solution to the Palestinian issue." The potential consequences of non-cooperation highlight the pressure on regional actors.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry added: "In this context, Egypt affirms its intention to present a comprehensive vision for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in a manner that ensures the Palestinian people remain on their land and in accordance with the legitimate rights of that people." No details were provided. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also stated in a phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen that the reconstruction of Gaza must take place "without the displacement of Palestinians." Egypt's commitment to Palestinian rights remains a central tenet of its foreign policy.

It is currently unclear when Egypt will present its alternative Gaza plan. Cairo will host an emergency Arab summit on February 27 to discuss the "grave" situation facing the Palestinians, and King Abdullah stated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has invited Arab leaders to a meeting in Riyadh on an unspecified date. The upcoming summits will provide a platform for regional dialogue and potential solutions.

Sisi also received a public invitation from Trump to visit the White House during a phone call earlier this month. However, Egyptian security sources told Reuters on Wednesday that Sisi would not travel to Washington if the agenda included Trump's plan. Abeer Barakat, a Palestinian teacher in Gaza City, told the BBC that she believed Trump's plan was "impossible to implement," but that it angered people. The potential visit highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics at play.

She said: "We are worried that Jordan and Egypt will succumb to Trump's threats." Palestinians fear a repeat of the Nakba (Arabic for "catastrophe"), when hundreds of thousands fled or were driven from their homes in the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948. The fear of displacement remains a significant concern for Palestinians.

Many refugees ended up in Gaza, and they and their descendants make up three-quarters of Gaza's population. According to the United Nations, another 900,000 registered refugees live in the occupied West Bank, and 3.4 million live in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. When a reporter asked Trump on Monday if the U.S. would force Palestinians to leave Gaza, Trump replied that "they'll all want to leave." He also said in an interview that Gazans had no right to return because he was "talking about building them a permanent place to live." Trump's statements have been widely criticized for disregarding Palestinian rights and historical context.

The Israeli military launched an operation to destroy Hamas after the group launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, more than 48,220 people have been killed in Gaza since then. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis.

Much of Gaza's population has also been displaced multiple times, an estimated nearly 70% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, medical, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed, and there are shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter. The dire situation in Gaza underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and a lasting solution to the conflict.