Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s Foreign Minister and Minister of Emigration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty, has reiterated Cairo’s categorical rejection of any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, declaring that such a scenario will not take place through Egyptian territory, regardless of who supports or opposes it.
Speaking during a televised appearance on Maspero Cultural Salon, aired by Extra News, Abdel Aaty stressed that Egypt is not a passive actor in the Gaza crisis. “We are not a party that things happen to, we are a proactive actor, and we have a clear vision,” he said.
He pointed to an existing unified Arab initiative for the “day after” the war in Gaza ends, describing it as the only practical and comprehensive plan on the table. According to Abdel Aaty, even former American officials have acknowledged the Arab-Islamic proposal as the most viable path forward.
“There are deliberate attempts by certain parties to distract from the Arab plan,” the minister warned. “But this is the only actionable plan, and it will be implemented. We are confident in that.”
Reaffirming Egypt’s unwavering stance against displacement, Abdel Aaty stated: “The displacement plan will not happen, whether some want it or not. At the very least, it will not happen through the Egyptian gate.”
He referenced President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s previous public remarks, emphasizing that Egypt’s Rafah border crossing with Gaza is designated solely for humanitarian aid, not as a corridor for forced migration. “The Rafah crossing is for the entry of humanitarian assistance and it will never be used as a gateway for displacement,” he said.
The minister also challenged the moral and legal basis of any plan to remove Palestinians from their homeland. “There is no ethical or legal justification for the displacement of Palestinians,” he said. “Why should they be uprooted? This is their land, and they must remain on it.”
He concluded by underlining Egypt’s responsibility shared by the broader region, to support the Palestinians in staying rooted in their homeland. “We are facing a responsibility to help them remain steadfast and committed to their land,” he said.
