Cairo, Feb 27 (IANS) – Egypt has firmly rejected proposals suggesting its temporary administration of the Gaza Strip, reaffirming its steadfast position on a comprehensive, lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, through spokesperson Tamim Khalaf, characterized such proposals as “half-solutions” that would only perpetuate the cycle of conflict rather than leading to permanent peace.
Khalaf stressed Egypt’s unwavering commitment to the principles that form the foundation of the Egyptian and Arab stance on the Palestinian issue. He emphasized the inseparable nature of Palestinian territories, highlighting that Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem are essential components of the future Palestinian state. These territories, he insisted, must remain under full Palestinian sovereignty and administration.
The remarks came in response to a proposal by Israeli Opposition leader Yair Lapid. On Tuesday, Lapid suggested a minimum eight-year term for an Egyptian administration over Gaza as part of a broader security mechanism that would involve Israel, Egypt, the United States, and Arab countries. The proposal, which Lapid framed as a solution to the current crisis in Gaza, also envisioned the settlement of Egypt’s foreign debt by the international community as an incentive for taking on the administration.
While Lapid argued that Egypt had historical experience administering Gaza from 1948 to 1967, he did not provide detailed specifics on how the proposed security coordination would function. He also indicated that the proposal had not been directly discussed with Egyptian officials, but had been shared with leaders across the region.
Egypt’s rejection of the proposal underscores its long-standing position that any solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must preserve Palestinian territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Egyptian government has consistently opposed any plan that seeks to displace Palestinians from their historical homeland, such as the controversial plan proposed by former US President Donald Trump, which called for the relocation of Palestinian populations to Egypt and Jordan.
In response to the ongoing devastation in Gaza, Egypt is preparing a comprehensive plan for rebuilding the territory without displacing its people. Cairo has called for international support to assist in the reconstruction efforts while maintaining the core principle of Palestinian self-determination.
Furthermore, Egypt will host an emergency Arab Summit on March 4 to discuss strategies for supporting the Palestinian cause and advancing the pursuit of a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
Egypt’s commitment to Palestinian sovereignty and its rejection of proposals that undermine it are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the regional response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
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