Egypt hosts refugees from 133 countries, with the Sudanese comprising the largest group (four million), followed by Syrians (1.5 million), Yemenis (one million), and Libyans (one million).
These four nationalities constitute 80 percent of the refugees living in Egypt, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
Cairo refuses the displacement of Gazans to prevent the liquidation of the Palestinian cause, said Madbouly, while asserting the country’s support for the Palestinians.
The Rafah crossing with Gaza is open 24 hours a day to deliver aid to the Palestinians and receive critical cases from the strip, he added.
Gaza needs decades to return
Egypt prime minister said Gazans are enduring collective punishment by Israel, noting that the strip needs decades to be rebuilt and regain its pre-7 October state.
The lives of 2.5 million Palestinians in the strip have deteriorated, Madbouly said, adding that more than 80 percent of Gaza’s health and education facilities are out of service.
Assault on the Palestinian border city of Rafah will constitute a grave humanitarian catastrophe for civilians, he noted, urging all parties involved to exert maximum efforts to prevent such a dire escalation.
Mediators have stepped up efforts over the past few hours to seal a ceasefire deal to avoid a potential Israeli raid on Rafah.
Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians and injured over 77,000, mostly children and women, since 7 October.
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