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Standing up to Israel's schemes - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt is continuing to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza while firmly rejecting Israel's plans to displace the Palestinians from their land.
Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli reiterated Egypt's commitment to the continued delivery of various forms of humanitarian relief to the besieged Palestinians in Gaza this week, indicating that the country is exerting dual efforts by sending truck convoys through the Rafah Crossing, which operates around the clock, while also conducting airdrops in coordination with several other nations.
In a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart Mohamed Mustafa this week, Madbouli also affirmed Egypt's continuing efforts to reach a ceasefire and end the war on Gaza in numerous international forums, as well as within the framework of mediation efforts with both Qatar and the US.
It is ensuring the sustainable delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and preparing to convene the Cairo Conference for the Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza, Madbouli said.
On Tuesday, Egypt sent its 18th humanitarian aid convoy to Gaza, including thousands of tons of essential goods, food, medical supplies, and medicines.
Amal Imam, Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), indicated that since 27 July Egypt has sent 18 aid convoys to Gaza to help alleviate the suffering of starving Palestinians in critical need of humanitarian aid due to Israel's five-month deliberate blockade of the Strip.
'Egypt has sent more than 36,000 trucks carrying nearly half a million tons of humanitarian and relief aid to Gaza since the war erupted in October 2023,' Imam said, indicating that the 'ERC's trucks are carrying between 2,500 and 3,000 tons of aid to Gaza almost every day.'
Madbouli also indicated that Egypt is exerting tremendous efforts to mobilise international support for the implementation of the Arab Plan for the Reconstruction of Gaza, including rebuilding infrastructure and restoring all aspects of life in preparation for the development of the Strip.
He blasted Israel's plans for conquering the city of Gaza and displacing the Palestinians to other countries.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that Egypt is following with deep concern reports of Israeli consultation with some other countries to allow the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza on their land.
'This is part of an unacceptable Israeli policy aimed at emptying Palestinian land of its inhabitants, occupying it, and liquidating the Palestinian cause,' the statement said.
The Foreign Ministry called upon all peace-loving countries around the world not to be involved in Israel's crime of forcibly deporting the Palestinians in Gaza from their land. 'This is a war crime, ethnic cleansing, and a flagrant violation of all principles of international humanitarian law,' the statement said.
The Ministry said it had contacted countries reportedly preparing to receive the Palestinians and had been assured that they had rejected Israel's proposals.
'We told the governments of these countries to reject this immoral crime that would violate the Geneva Conventions and that any party that might take part in such a scheme would bear the historical and legal responsibility for it,' the ministry said.
Ambassador Rakha Hassan, a former assistant foreign minister, said in a TV interview that it was no secret that Egypt has conducted intensive contacts regarding joint American-Israeli plans to persuade certain countries to accept Palestinians from Gaza as immigrants or refugees, especially since the names of these countries have been circulated.
However, these countries have denied the veracity of these reports, Hassan said.
There had been reports that Libya, Ethiopia, Somaliland, South Sudan, and Indonesia had agreed to receive Palestinian immigrants or refugees, but these countries have categorically denied these reports, stressing their absolute refusal to receive any Palestinians who are forcibly displaced from their land, an international crime with legal consequences.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Egypt is working through 'different channels' to alleviate the burden and suffering of the Palestinians. He said Egypt has contributed 70 per cent of the assistance that has been delivered to Gaza since the war erupted in October 2023.
'There are also 5,000 trucks on the Egyptian side of the Crossing waiting to enter the besieged Strip, but the Israelis are not allowing them to enter,' Abdelatty said.
He emphasised that accusations that Cairo has blocked the aid are 'a complete lie' and that Israel alone controls the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing, which its forces have destroyed four times.
'They are physically there, preventing any truck or person from moving in,' Abdelatty told the US network CNN on Monday.
Abdelatty warned Israel that the mass displacement of the Palestinians from Gaza is a red line and that it would not be tolerated by Egypt because it is a risk to Egypt's national security and sovereignty.
Asked whether the war places the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty at risk, Abdelatty said Cairo 'is respecting and honouring its commitments according to the Peace Treaty' but warned that any kind of displacement of the Gazans would be a 'big risk, and we will not allow any single party to risk our national security and the control of our border.'
The minister's warnings are some of the harshest made since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that talks are underway with several countries about taking in Palestinians displaced by the war.
Abdelatty told CNN that while Egypt maintains contact with Israel on the security and intelligence levels, it has not seen a desire from the political leadership there to conclude the war.
During a press conference with the Palestinian prime minister on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Crossing, Abdelatty stressed that Egypt will continue to support the Palestinian people in their quest to achieve their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
He explained that what the Palestinian people are being subjected to is a flagrant violation of international law and conventions, adding that 'the Israeli killing machine is systematically targeting civilians, children, and those waiting for aid.'
Abdelatty said Hamas has agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Egypt and Qatar, raising hopes that a long-awaited breakthrough in negotiations could come very soon.
The plan would see Hamas release half of the Israeli hostages it still holds in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal. Israel has yet to respond to the terms of the ceasefire.
Abdelatty did not rule out the temporary deployment of Egyptian or international forces under a UN Resolution that ensures the creation of a Palestinian state.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 21 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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