INTERNATIONAL support is crucial for a reconstruction plan in Gaza that does not involve the displacement of Palestinian residents, stated Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday.
Earlier, on February 12, Egypt announced its intention to present a vision for the reconstruction of Gaza in the near future, ensuring the continuity of the Palestinian presence in their homeland.
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that the country is working on a comprehensive and phased approach for Gaza’s reconstruction, Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti reported today.
“We stress the importance of the international community supporting a Gaza reconstruction plan that does not involve the displacement of Palestinians,” said al-Sisi in a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, as reported by Sputnik.
This statement comes in contrast to remarks made earlier in February by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that the United States could "take over" Gaza and transform it into the "Middle East Riviera."
Trump had also described Gaza as a “site of destruction” and proposed that its residents be permanently relocated to other countries, with Jordan and Egypt among the possible destinations. He did not rule out the possibility of sending U.S. troops to Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar supported this suggestion, labeling Gaza as a "failed experiment," but the idea of displacing the people of Gaza was firmly rejected by Palestinian groups, including Hamas, as well as by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Since January 19, a ceasefire has been in place in Gaza following an agreement between Israel and Hamas for the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. – February 20, 2025
