A statement from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned on Thursday against the consequences of such ideas, describing them as unjust, a violation of Palestinian rights, and a threat to regional stability.
“Egypt affirms that it completely rejects any proposal or envision that aims to liquidate the Palestinian cause by uprooting the Palestinian people or displacing them from their historical land and seizing it, whether temporarily or permanently,” read the statement.
Today’s statement came just hours after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump’s recently disclosed plan for Gaza — aiming to develop it into the "Riviera of the Middle East" — envisioned only a “temporary relocation” of Palestinians and resettlement in Arab-majority states.
Egypt called for addressing the root causes of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, citing the decades of occupation, displacement, persecution, and discrimination faced by Palestinians.
The statement called for an immediate end to these practices and the restoration of inalienable Palestinian rights per international law.
Additionally, the statement warned against recent statements by Israeli government members about implementing a plan to displace Palestinians from their land.
The statement added that such actions "undermines and destroys negotiations for a ceasefire agreement and encourages a resumption of fighting."
Earlier on Thursday, Israel's defence minister Katz demanded the army to prepare to implement Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza. He said on X, the plan would include exit options via land crossings and special arrangements for departure by sea and air.
Cairo demanded accountability for these statements as being “a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and basic Palestinian rights,” read the statement.
Egypt stressed the disastrous repercussions of such irresponsible behaviour and its risks to the entire region and the foundations of peace.
“These practices, which reflect a blatant disregard for established principles of international law and humanitarian values, are likely to undermine peace efforts,” the ministry added.
Meanwhile, Egypt called for avoiding incitement at this critical stage and refraining from inflaming tensions and widening the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Furthermore, Egypt urged full and permanent implementation of the Gaza ceasefire in all three phases, expressing its readiness to engage with international partners to implement plans for early recovery, rubble removal, and reconstruction within a set timeframe.
Egypt stressed that this must be achieved without Palestinians leaving the Gaza Strip, especially their adherence to their land and their refusal to be displaced.
Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Arab countries have rejected these proposals.
Last week, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi affirmed that Egypt "cannot participate in the injustice of displacing the Palestinian people.” He added that Egypt is committed to working with Trump to reach the desired peace in the Middle East based on the two-state solution.
Trump reigniting debate!
On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the president said the US would not fund Gaza’s reconstruction or send troops.
“That does not mean boots on the ground in Gaza. It does not mean American taxpayers will be funding this effort,” she explained.
Trump, she added, expected “our partners in the region, particularly Egypt and Jordan, to accept Palestinian refugees, temporarily, so that we can rebuild their home.”
Leavitt described Gaza as “a demolition site” and said: “It’s not a liveable place for any human being.”
Despite the White House's statement seeming to backtrack on Donald Trump's plan, the US president reignited the debate by doubling down on his plan to take over Gaza and resettle Palestinians.
Posting on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump stated that Israel would hand over Gaza to the US once the fighting ends.
He added that Palestinians would be relocated to safer, more prosperous regions with modern housing and better living conditions. At the same time, the US would oversee the reconstruction of the territory decimated by Israeli airstrikes.
“They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free,” Trump wrote.
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