File Photo: Displaced Palestinians walk next to the border fence between Gaza and Egypt,, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
This came in response to US President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting that Egypt and Jordan should accept Palestinians from Gaza.
Earlier on Saturday, Trump said he would like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting from the Gaza Strip — potentially moving out enough of the population to “just clean out” the war-torn area to create a virtual clean slate.
“Egypt unequivocally rejects any attempts to enforce forced displacement under any pretext, arguing that such measures aim to achieve what Israel has failed to accomplish through war and destruction,” Ambassador Hegazy said.
Egypt firmly opposes Israel’s plans to displace Gaza residents forcibly, he asserted. Palestinians have remained resilient, refusing to abandon their land for months despite the extreme violence and crimes committed against them, he added.
Egypt has never and will never allow Israel to achieve its objectives of mass displacement, Hegazy emphasized.
The former assistant foreign minister stressed that such a proposal violates international law, United Nations resolutions, and Arab League principles. Israel, as an occupying power, must be held accountable and compelled to end its occupation.
"The only viable solution is the two-state framework, which ensures that each nation lives fully on its land according to the 4 June 1967 borders,” he said, echoing Egypt’s long-standing position of supporting the two-state.
Higazy emphasized that the international community must demand an end to Israel’s occupation and its adherence to the two-state solution.
He highlighted that international resolutions recognize the West Bank and Gaza as occupied territories and the establishment of a Palestinian state as the only path to peace and stability in the region.
The ambassador criticized the US for its unwavering support of Israel, warning that such bias could harm regional stability and escalate violence.
He condemned policies that embolden Israel, such as support for its far-right government, the lifting of sanctions on settler groups accused of war crimes, and the provision of destructive military supplies like 2,000-pound bombs. These actions, Hegazy argued, undermine peace efforts and fuel further instability and conflict.
Higazy concluded by expressing concern over the implications of President Trump’s remarks, describing them as counterproductive to peace and stability in the region.
He urged the international community to remain committed to a fair resolution based on international law and to resist policies that promote forced displacement or perpetuate violence.
Hegazy also stated that Egypt has continuously provided care for a large number of wounded Palestinians in its hospitals, extending humanitarian assistance to their families as well.
He added that Egypt has played a critical role in facilitating the release of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons, including hosting 70 Palestinian detainees with lengthy sentences on Egyptian soil as part of the Palestinian-Israeli Gaza ceasefire agreement’s first phase.
This act of solidarity aims to counter the injustice and violence faced by Palestinians under Israeli policies Hegazy described as oppressive and disproportionate, with some prisoners serving decades-long sentences far exceeding international norms.
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