The ongoing Gaza conflict is testing Egypt-US relations, particularly after President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, raising fears of instability among Egyptians. In response, President Sisi is pursuing diplomatic efforts to counter this narrative while crafting a reconstruction plan for Gaza that respects Palestinian statehood. The Egyptian public is concerned about their country becoming a new frontline in the conflict, emphasizing the need for Egypt to maintain its sovereignty and stability amid external pressures.
Amidst Cairo’s vibrant ambiance, a large number of Gazans who escaped the war on Hamas coincide in local coffee shops, their thoughts preoccupied with the safety of relatives still in Gaza. In recent days, Egyptian intelligence has engaged with Hamas leaders as part of efforts to strengthen a fragile ceasefire, reflecting local anxieties about Egypt’s deepening involvement in the ongoing conflict. The announcement of President Trump’s controversial post-war proposal, which suggests relocating two million Palestinians to areas in Egypt and Jordan, has provoked widespread concern among Egyptians, who view it as a threat to national stability.
The sentiment among the public is clear; several individuals attended Friday prayers expressing that Trump’s plan necessitates scrutiny. “We’d be moving the battlefront from their land into our own!” said Abdo, a civil engineer, warning that such actions could imply an Israeli justification for military action on Egyptian soil. Others echoed the fear that forcibly displacing Gazans would not only undermine Palestinian aspirations for statehood but might also incite extremism, thus destabilizing Egypt itself.
In response to this growing tension, President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has initiated a strategic diplomatic offensive as he navigates one of the most precarious periods of his leadership. In this context, Egypt has signaled that it may reconsider its longstanding peace agreement with Israel, a pivotal arrangement that has historically underpinned U.S. interests in the region. Following the 1979 accord, Egypt has benefited from significant military aid from the United States, receiving $1.3 billion in assistance the previous year alone.
However, some Egyptian commentators on prominent television programs have criticized the reliance on American military aid, suggesting it lacks substantial value for the country. One popular host, Ahmed Mousa, asserted that Egyptians will not succumb to “pressure” or “blackmail” from external powers. Unlike Jordan’s King Abdullah II, who recently met with Trump and offered a cooperative tone, Sisi has reportedly refused to travel to Washington while ideas of displacement remain on the table.
Furthermore, Egypt’s economy has suffered due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, citing losses of around $8 billion in Suez Canal revenues—attributed to Houthi attacks on shipping routes. In light of these economic challenges, Egypt aims to propose its own initiative for Gaza’s reconstruction, distancing the plight of Gazans from displacement and working instead to rejuvenate its economy.
Prominent Egyptian businessman Hisham Talaat Moustafa is advocating a $20 billion plan to construct 200,000 homes in Gaza over three years, ensuring that Palestinians do not have to be relocated. Professor Mustafa Kamel al-Sayyid from Cairo University believes this plan is feasible, suggesting that “safe areas” could be established for displaced Palestinians to reside temporarily during reconstruction efforts. Innovative strategies are also being explored, like repurposing rubble as construction material.
Ahead of a Middle Eastern diplomatic journey, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Arab nations are dissatisfied with the Trump plan, urging alternative proposals to emerge. Egypt has called for an Arab summit in Cairo on February 27 to cultivate support for a coordinated and comprehensive vision for Gaza, seeking assistance from Gulf nations for reconstruction funding while advocating for the sidelining of Hamas from future governance.
However, finding an acceptable compromise that aligns with the hardline stance of Israel’s government remains a formidable challenge. The former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that international bodies might take a temporary role in Gaza until the Palestinian Authority could resume governance, although Netanyahu has resisted PA involvement due to his opposition to Palestinian statehood.
Egypt, alongside other Arab states, reaffirms its commitment to a two-state solution, rooting for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. The Egyptian foreign ministry expresses a desire to work collaboratively with the Trump administration toward a just and comprehensive peace settlement. Amidst public discourse outside Cairo’s mosques, concerns linger regarding the possibility of repeating past mistakes with regards to Gaza’s situation.
With Egypt currently hosting over 100,000 Gazans, there are apprehensions about the nation transforming into a newly fortified base for Hamas, a group with links to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, potentially stirring internal discord. Public support continues to swell for Egypt to take a resolute stand against U.S. pressures, reflecting a broader sentiment that Gazans deserve to inhabit their own territory rather than being resettled elsewhere. A shopkeeper remarked, “The Palestinians need to live on their own land not ours. We don’t need anything from the USA.”
The article examines the escalating tensions between Egypt and the United States regarding the Gaza conflict. Proposed plans for the resettlement of Palestinians in Egypt have sparked fears among Egyptians of potential instability and a loss of sovereignty. President Sisi is attempting to navigate these pressures while promoting an alternative reconstruction plan that emphasizes Palestinian sovereignty and regional stability, highlighting the delicate balance Egypt must maintain in its international relations and domestic stability.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
