Hegazy emphasized that the current situation demands international solidarity to ensure urgent humanitarian aid's immediate and sustainable delivery.
"Egypt aims to implement an early recovery plan to meet the humanitarian needs of the Strip, including food, water, sanitation, and healthcare for the population," he added.
According to Hegazy, the plan focuses on rehabilitating essential infrastructure, including roads, public buildings, electrical networks, and water systems.
"The plan also seeks to revitalize the local economy, helping Gaza recover from this devastating aggression and restore minimum livable conditions before transitioning to a full reconstruction phase," he noted.
Hegazy highlighted the international conference Egypt held a few weeks ago to support Gaza's reconstruction. He described it as an opportunity to reaffirm global support and secure the necessary financial and material pledges for immediate implementation.
"This is crucial to saving the people of Gaza from catastrophe and paving the way for the success of the early recovery phase, followed by reconstruction," the Egyptian diplomat emphasized.
"The international community mustn't fail them again on a humanitarian level, as it may have failed them politically," he added.
Egypt's Reconstruction Plan for Gaza
According to Al-Arabiya TV, Egypt's reconstruction plan for Gaza includes building safe housing units within 18 months. It also designates safe zones within the Strip to relocate residents during the first six months. The plan will involve 24 multinational companies in reconstruction efforts, including debris removal in specific areas within six months.
Al-Arabiya also reported that Egypt will finalize its comprehensive reconstruction plan by next week and proposes initiating the first phase following the emergency Arab summit in Cairo.
Additionally, an Egyptian-Arab committee will oversee Gaza's reconstruction without displacing its residents.
The channel further referenced ongoing Arab consultations for organizing a Gaza reconstruction conference with broad European participation.
"Cairo confirmed that several European countries have expressed their willingness to participate in Gaza's reconstruction efforts," Al-Arabiya reported.
Israeli attempts to undermine the ceasefire
Hegazy stressed that Israeli occupation forces must cease attempts to create a new reality by refusing to comply with the humanitarian aid phase of the ceasefire agreement.
"This non-compliance appears to be an effort to force Palestinians out of their land and undermine their inalienable right to establish their state on all occupied Palestinian territories from 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital," he stated.
He condemned Israel's use of starvation and siege as a tool to push for forced displacement, calling it collective punishment and a flagrant violation of international law.
"Any statements encouraging forced displacement are widely condemned and rejected at the international level," he affirmed.
Hegazy pointed out that the world has witnessed horrific scenes of civilians being killed, hospitals, mosques, and churches destroyed, ambulances bombed, and humanitarian workers—including UN staff—targeted.
"This has led to the deaths of 237 individuals, most of whom were from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), in addition to the destruction of more than 2,000 UNRWA facilities in Gaza, including 65 schools," he said.
According to Hegazy, the total death toll has reached nearly 50,000 Palestinians, with 70 percent being women and children. Over two million people have been displaced but remain determined to hold onto their land.
"It is essential to implement a plan that enables them to stay and accelerates reconstruction, which can only be achieved through international cooperation and concerted efforts," he stressed.
Diplomatic efforts at upcoming Arab summits
Hegazy pointed out that the upcoming five-party meeting in Riyadh—which will involve Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Palestine—will be an opportunity to review Egypt's plan.
"The plan focuses on urgent relief efforts to launch a comprehensive reconstruction process, addressing humanitarian needs and ensuring Palestinians remain in their homeland," he said.
Egypt is racing against time to ensure the Palestinian people can stay in Gaza, emphasizing that international law must guide policies in the Strip in line with the two-state solution and the rejection of forced displacement.
"This is a matter that I believe will be agreed upon at the Arab level and in the upcoming five-party summit, paving the way for the Arab Summit in Cairo on 27 February, which I consider the most significant among Arab summits," he stated.
Hegazy said the Cairo summit will solidify a framework that supports the Palestinian presence and rejects calls for forced displacement, which are criminalized under international law.
"The mere call for the displacement of a people from their land is a war crime being committed openly, and any action or statement in this direction should, in principle, be prosecuted."
He added that Cairo's vision has a strong chance of success, given Egypt and Jordan's rejection of past US proposals and the broader Arab stance against displacement.
Egypt and the Arab world's firm stance against displacement
Hegazy emphasized that this position is upheld not only by Egypt and the Arab world but also by the international community, including European nations and global institutions, which have condemned such rhetoric as a violation of international law and UN resolutions.
"The possibility of the crisis escalating to a point that threatens the foundations of peace in the region is a serious concern," he warned.
He urged all parties to recognize that statements encouraging forced displacement endanger regional security and the stability of their allies.
"The US, as a key player in brokering peace between Egypt and Israel, must understand the broader implications of such rhetoric," Hegazy said.
He noted that Egypt's recent foreign ministry statement made it clear that the foundations of the peace process are at risk. Washington must recognize that its regional strategic interests should be preserved, particularly with Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other states.
Thus, supporting Egypt's plan and committing to the two-state solution is essential for managing the evolving situation.
"Meanwhile, the Israeli right-wing is actively working to undermine the ceasefire agreement, and efforts must be made to prevent them from succeeding," he said.
Full implementation of the ceasefire agreement
Hegazy called for fully implementing the next phase of the ceasefire agreement through regional mediation efforts.
He also highlighted the ongoing visit of a Hamas delegation to Cairo and the expected visit of US envoy Steve Witkoff, who helped secure the ceasefire deal.
"While Israel has stalled on the humanitarian aspects of the first phase of the agreement, the next stage should help restore order through diplomatic mediation," he said, expressing hope for the full implementation of the deal.
Egypt's commitment to reconstruction serves as the primary safeguard against Israel's ongoing aggression in Gaza. He added that rebuilding the Strip is the most effective way to counter forced displacement.
"Since the onset of the crisis, Egypt has recognized that at the heart of this aggression lies an attempt to forcibly displace the Palestinian people. Thus, reconstruction must follow the ceasefire agreement to ensure that Palestinians can remain on their land," he stressed.
In conclusion, Hegazy underscored that the global rejection of forced displacement is rooted in religious, moral, political, and humanitarian principles. Egypt, with the support of its Arab allies, will continue its efforts to uphold these values.
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