Latest news with #Egypt-Israel
Saudi Gazette
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Egypt warns Israel that mass displacement of Gazans is a ‘red line'
RAFAH — The displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip is a 'red line' and Cairo will not allow any party to risk Egypt's national security or sovereignty, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Monday. In an exclusive interview with CNN in the northern Egyptian town of Al-Arish, close to the Gaza border, Abdelatty said that Egypt is working through 'different channels, with one objective, to alleviate the burden and suffering of Palestinians,' adding that mass Palestinian emigration from Gaza would not be tolerated by his country. 'We will not accept it, we will not participate in it, and we will not allow it to happen,' Abdelatty told CNN, adding that displacement is guaranteed to be a 'one way ticket' for Palestinians out of Gaza, which would lead to the 'liquidation' of their cause altogether. The Israeli government has never given a detailed vision of what will happen to Gaza after the war but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly advocated for moving Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, particularly after US President Donald Trump floated the idea early this year. But even after Trump appeared to cool on the proposal, Israeli officials have embraced it. Egypt is Gaza's only access to the outside world as Israel has blockaded the territory from the land, sea and air. Cairo has come under intense public pressure to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and has repeatedly blamed Israel for blocking aid as thousands of trucks remain stranded at its border. Asked whether the war places the Egypt-Israel peace treaty at risk, Abdelatty said Cairo is 'respecting and honoring (its) commitments according to the peace treaty,' but added that 'any kind of displacement would be a big risk and we will not allow any single party to risk our national security and our sovereignty... in our border.'The minister's warnings are some of the harshest since Israel said last week that it is in talks with several countries about taking in Palestinians displaced by the war.'If the Israelis manage to displace them, I can assure you that will be the end of the Palestinian cause,' the foreign minister was the first Arab nation to recognize Israel in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that talks are underway with several countries about taking in displaced countries involved are South Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Libya, and Indonesia, a senior Israeli official told CNN. In exchange for taking in some of Gaza's population of more than two million people, the official said the countries are looking for 'significant financial and international compensation.'It's unclear how advanced any of these discussions are and whether they are likely to come to fruition. South Sudan rejected earlier reports that it was in discussions about the resettlement of Palestinians, saying they were 'baseless.' Indonesia said it was ready to take in 2,000 Palestinians from Gaza for treatment but that they would return to Gaza once they this year, Somaliland also said there were no such said that while Egypt maintains contact with Israel on the security and intelligence levels, it hasn't seen a desire from the political establishment to conclude the war.'Unfortunately, we don't have a partner in Israel right now for peace and the two-state solution,' he said. 'We have ministers in the Israeli cabinet right now who do not believe in the two-state solution.'Israel's far-right ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have called for an expansion of the war in Gaza and the emigration of Palestinians from the enclave, which critics have said amounts to ethnic said negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal are, however, ongoing, adding that 'we reached a sort of understanding on most of the building issues' with regards to the latest proposal submitted by US Special Envoy Steve month, the US and Israel recalled their negotiating teams from Qatar, where talks had been taking place, with Witkoff saying the latest response from Hamas 'clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.'The Egyptian foreign minister said Cairo is in favor of a comprehensive deal that ends the war, brings back hostages, releases Palestinian prisoners and allows aid to flow in. Israel's demand to immediately disarm Hamas is, he said, an 'impossible' condition at this stage of the talks.'Israel is insisting on disarming Hamas now. Who will do it? How can we do it on the ground?' he said, adding that Israel has tried to eliminate the group through a 22-month bombardment campaign and still failed.'We need to push now (for a deal),' Abdelatty said. There is currently a delegation from Hamas in Cairo, he said, and talks are ongoing with the Qataris, the Americans and the Israelis.'We can have a deal if we have political will.'On Monday, CNN saw dozens of aid trucks lining the roads to the Rafah crossing with Gaza, where many convoys have remained idle for weeks or even months, often causing essential food aid to said that there are 5,000 trucks on the Egyptian side of the crossing waiting to enter the blockaded strip, but that 'the Israelis are not allowing them to enter.'Three truck drivers told CNN they've been waiting for more than a week for a greenlight to Mohamed, a father of three, had his truck turned back Wednesday after a rejection by the Israeli military, he said, adding that he has spent the past three weeks parked along the Egyptian side of the border.'Once you're here with your truck you cannot leave,' Mohamed told CNN. 'Either your aid gets approved and you leave or you stay next to your truck – that might take weeks, or even months'He said it was the little he could do to help Gaza's starving population.'This is not about money - we can get a lot of money from work in Cairo. We're here because we want to help in any way we can the people in Gaza.'Another driver, Mohamed Fawzy, told CNN he was carrying ICU beds that were rejected four times by Israeli Imam, the executive director of the Egyptian Red Crescent, told CNN the beds, along with the rest of aid rejected, had received pre-approval by Israeli authorities but had been rejected for containing metals and plastic. — CNN
Egypt Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt warns Israel that mass displacement of Gazans is a ‘red line'
Rafah, Egypt — The displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip is a 'red line' and Cairo will not allow any party to risk Egypt's national security or sovereignty, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Monday. In an exclusive interview with CNN in the northern Egyptian town of Al-Arish, close to the Gaza border, Abdelatty said that Egypt is working through 'different channels, with one objective, to alleviate the burden and suffering of Palestinians,' adding that mass Palestinian emigration from Gaza would not be tolerated by his country. 'We will not accept it, we will not participate in it, and we will not allow it to happen,' Abdelatty told CNN, adding that displacement is guaranteed to be a 'one way ticket' for Palestinians out of Gaza, which would lead to the 'liquidation' of their cause altogether. The Israeli government has never given a detailed vision of what will happen to Gaza after the war but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly advocated for moving Palestinians from Gaza to other countries, particularly after US President Donald Trump floated the idea early this year. But even after Trump appeared to cool on the proposal, Israeli officials have embraced it. Egypt is Gaza's only access to the outside world as Israel has blockaded the territory from the land, sea and air. Cairo has come under intense public pressure to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and has repeatedly blamed Israel for blocking aid as thousands of trucks remain stranded at its border. Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty gives a press conference in the New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo, Egypt on October 8, 2024. Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images Asked whether the war places the Egypt-Israel peace treaty at risk, Abdelatty said Cairo is 'respecting and honoring (its) commitments according to the peace treaty,' but added that 'any kind of displacement would be a big risk and we will not allow any single party to risk our national security and our sovereignty… in our border.' The minister's warnings are some of the harshest since Israel said last week that it is in talks with several countries about taking in Palestinians displaced by the war. 'If the Israelis manage to displace them, I can assure you that will be the end of the Palestinian cause,' the foreign minister said. Egypt was the first Arab nation to recognize Israel in 1979. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that talks are underway with several countries about taking in displaced Palestinians. The countries involved are South Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Libya, and Indonesia, a senior Israeli official told CNN. In exchange for taking in some of Gaza's population of more than two million people, the official said the countries are looking for 'significant financial and international compensation.' It's unclear how advanced any of these discussions are and whether they are likely to come to fruition. South Sudan rejected earlier reports that it was in discussions about the resettlement of Palestinians, saying they were 'baseless.' Indonesia said it was ready to take in 2,000 Palestinians from Gaza for treatment but that they would return to Gaza once they recovered. Earlier this year, Somaliland also said there were no such talks. No partner for peace Abdelatty said that while Egypt maintains contact with Israel on the security and intelligence levels, it hasn't seen a desire from the political establishment to conclude the war. 'Unfortunately, we don't have a partner in Israel right now for peace and the two-state solution,' he said. 'We have ministers in the Israeli cabinet right now who do not believe in the two-state solution.' Israel's far-right ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have called for an expansion of the war in Gaza and the emigration of Palestinians from the enclave, which critics have said amounts to ethnic cleansing. Abdelatty said negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal are, however, ongoing, adding that 'we reached a sort of understanding on most of the building issues' with regards to the latest proposal submitted by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Egyptian Red Crecent members prepare humanitarian aid at their warehouse in the logistical center supporting Gaza, at Sheikh Zuweid, Egypt, on Monday. Mayar Mokhtar/AP Last month, the US and Israel recalled their negotiating teams from Qatar, where talks had been taking place, with Witkoff saying the latest response from Hamas 'clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.' The Egyptian foreign minister said Cairo is in favor of a comprehensive deal that ends the war, brings back hostages, releases Palestinian prisoners and allows aid to flow in. Israel's demand to immediately disarm Hamas is, he said, an 'impossible' condition at this stage of the talks. 'Israel is insisting on disarming Hamas now. Who will do it? How can we do it on the ground?' he said, adding that Israel has tried to eliminate the group through a 22-month bombardment campaign and still failed. 'We need to push now (for a deal),' Abdelatty said. There is currently a delegation from Hamas in Cairo, he said, and talks are ongoing with the Qataris, the Americans and the Israelis. 'We can have a deal if we have political will.' 'Once you're here… you cannot leave' On Monday, CNN saw dozens of aid trucks lining the roads to the Rafah crossing with Gaza, where many convoys have remained idle for weeks or even months, often causing essential food aid to spoil. Abdelatty said that there are 5,000 trucks on the Egyptian side of the crossing waiting to enter the blockaded strip, but that 'the Israelis are not allowing them to enter.' Three truck drivers told CNN they've been waiting for more than a week for a greenlight to enter. Medhat Mohamed, a father of three, had his truck turned back Wednesday after a rejection by the Israeli military, he said, adding that he has spent the past three weeks parked along the Egyptian side of the border. Palestinians, displaced by the Israeli offensive, shelter in a tent camp as the Israeli military prepares to relocate residents to southern Gaza, in Gaza City on Sunday. Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters 'Once you're here with your truck you cannot leave,' Mohamed told CNN. 'Either your aid gets approved and you leave or you stay next to your truck – that might take weeks, or even months' He said it was the little he could do to help Gaza's starving population. 'This is not about money – we can get a lot of money from work in Cairo. We're here because we want to help in any way we can the people in Gaza.' Another driver, Mohamed Fawzy, told CNN he was carrying ICU beds that were rejected four times by Israeli authorities. Amal Imam, the executive director of the Egyptian Red Crescent, told CNN the beds, along with the rest of aid rejected, had received pre-approval by Israeli authorities but had been rejected for containing metals and plastic.
Roya News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
Egypt detains over 200 activists ahead of Gaza solidarity march
Egyptian security forces have detained more than 200 international activists in Cairo, days before a planned march aimed at challenging 'Israel's' blockade on the Gaza Strip. According to Saif Abukeshek, a spokesperson for the organizing group, the individuals were stopped at various locations across the Egyptian capital, including Cairo International Airport and multiple hotels. 'Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo,' Abukeshek told Agence France-Presse (AFP), noting that the detainees include citizens from the US, Australia, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Algeria. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saif AbuKeshek (@abukeshek) The march, set to begin Friday, was organized to push for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and to demand an end to 'Israel's' siege of the territory. Participants planned to travel to Egypt's Rafah border crossing and stage a peaceful demonstration. Abukeshek said plainclothes police entered several hotels across the Egyptian capital on Wednesday with lists of names, questioning activists and in some cases confiscating phones and searching belongings. 'After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,' he noted. At a press briefing earlier this week, organizers stated that around 4,000 participants from over 40 countries had already booked flights to Cairo, with many having arrived in advance of the event. According to plans, the marchers were to travel by bus to El-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, and then walk 50km toward the Rafah crossing. They would camp near the border before returning to Cairo on June 19. The march has drawn criticism from 'Israeli' officials. Defence Minister Israel Katz said, 'Israel has called on Egyptian authorities to prevent the arrival of jihadist protesters at the Egypt-Israel border,' adding that such actions 'would endanger the safety of [Israeli] soldiers and will not be allowed.'
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Egypt detains over 200 pro-Palestinian activists ahead of Gaza march: Organisers
The activists had planned to demand the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. PHOTO: REUTERS CAIRO - Egyptian authorities have detained more than 200 pro-Palestinian activists in Cairo ahead of a planned international march with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade on Gaza, the organisers said on J une 12 . 'Over 200 participants were detained at Cairo airport or questioned at hotels across Cairo,' the march's spokesperson Saif Abukeshek told AFP. He added that those detained included nationals from the United States, Australia, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Morocco and Algeria. The activists had planned to travel to Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza, to demand the entry of humanitarian aid and an end to Israel's blockade on the besieged enclave. Mr Abukeshek said that plainclothes police entered hotels in Cairo on June 11 with lists of names, questioned activists and in some cases confiscated mobile phones and searched personal belongings. 'After interrogations, some were arrested and others were released,' he added. At a press conference on June 11 , organisers said that around 4,000 participants from more than 40 countries 'had booked flight tickets' to Cairo, with many already arriving ahead of the planned march on June 13 . According to the plan, participants are set to travel by bus to the city of El-Arish in the heavily securitised Sinai Peninsula before walking 50km towards the border with Gaza. They would then camp there before returning to Cairo on June 19. Israel has called on Egyptian authorities 'to prevent the arrival of jihadist protesters at the Egypt-Israel border'. Such actions 'would endanger the safety of (Israeli) soldiers and will not be allowed', Defence Minister Israel Katz said. In response, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said that while it backs efforts to put 'pressure on Israel' to lift its blockade on Gaza, any foreign delegations visiting the border area must receive approval through official channels. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Chicago Tribune
23-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Potluck brings together different faiths for fellowship, talk of world events
It was an evening of faith, food and fellowship as some 100 folks from a variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds came together. Participants from throughout Northwest Indiana gathered on Thursday to dine together at a potluck dinner, to promote social justice and to build strong communities. The inaugural gathering of what is called Interfaith Potluck, Building Bridges Coalition was held at the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center in Merrillville. The purpose of the gathering was to bring about better understanding and to eliminate the divisiveness among people in the area no matter what their religious beliefs or backgrounds, event spokesman Ferass Safadi said. 'This is the first event with plans to hold it quarterly and possibly bring it back in October,' Safadi said. Jawad Nammari, a youth volunteer at Northwest Indiana Islamic Center, called it a joint effort between communities. 'We're a people of peace. We're a people of love and justice,' Nammari said. Those in attendance had been encouraged on the center's website to bring a dish to share. 'This special evening is more than just a meal — it's an opportunity to connect across faiths, build meaningful relationships, and work together toward greater social justice in our communities,' the website said. Religious leaders who spoke at the meeting included Rabbi Diane Tracht of the Temple Israel in Gary; Iman Mongy El-Quesny of the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center; Pastor Rameem Jackson of St. Timothy Community Church in Gary; and the Rev. Tom Bozeman of the First Unitarian Church of Hobart Calumet Region. The Rev. Leah Peksenak of the Hobart First United Methodist Church and Marquette Park United Methodist Church in Gary emceed and posed questions to the religious leaders. 'What we are hoping is that this is the first of many conversations,' Peksenak said. Attendees, including Sarita Villarreal of Hobart and Maryalice Larson of Valparaiso, were also given the chance to ask questions of the religious leaders and to voice their opinions. The thought-provoking questions Peksenak asked of the religious leaders included their feelings on social justice, what social justice tradition they were most proud of, their biggest challenge and in what areas were improvements still needed. Although responses from the religious leaders remained civil and thoughtful, talk included continuing unrest in the world including between Israel and Palestine and Ukraine and Russia. Rabbi Tracht said for her Gaza and Israel would be the 'elephant in the room.' 'The starvation of those living in Gaza is an abomination,' Tracht said. Iman Mongy El-Quesny, a native of Egypt, said he was living in the Middle East in 1979 when the Egypt-Israel peace treaty was signed by Anwar Sadat, the president of Egypt, and Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel. 'We cherish that peace accord. We lived together. We are cousins,' El-Quesny said. He said he blames politicians for creating problems between people. 'The issue is politicians. They are small in number but loud in voice,' he said. El-Quesny encouraged those in attendance not to be silent and to love themselves first. 'We are all the children of Adam. We are all the children of God. He wants us to cherish one another and to love one another. That's what God wants from us,' El-Quesny said.
