Egypt Rejects Any Attempt to Change Gaza's Demographics

The Egyptian FM Badr Abdel Aty participated in the meeting of the Arab-Islamic Committee on Gaza on Friday, held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum. 

The Minister emphasized Egypt's categorical rejection of any attempt to alter the demographic reality of the Gaza Strip through proposals for the displacement and resettlement of the Palestinian people outside the Palestinian territories. These are "actions that constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, undermine peace efforts, and threaten regional peace and security."

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tamim Khallaf stated that the meeting was held within the framework of following up on the recent Arab Summit in Cairo and implementing its outcomes. He noted that the Foreign Minister reviewed efforts aimed at immediately returning to the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, which entered into force on January 19.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the need to move to the second phase of the agreement, which would contribute to the release of hostages and prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. He also reviewed ongoing efforts to advance the Arab-Islamic plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. He emphasized the need to empower the Palestinian Authority, highlighting, in this context, the role of Egypt and Jordan in training Palestinian police personnel in preparation for their deployment in the Gaza Strip.

The meeting participants were keen to affirm their support for the early recovery and reconstruction plan and the reconstruction conference scheduled to be held in Egypt.

Minister Abdel Aty also emphasized that Egypt has spared no effort since the beginning of the conflict to work to de-escalate the situation and provide humanitarian assistance. 

He pointed out that Egypt is continuing negotiations between the two parties to the conflict, in cooperation with Qatar and the United States, to resume the ceasefire agreement and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.

He emphasized that the Middle East is witnessing a critical phase in light of the ongoing humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip. This requires a unified international response to achieve peace, dignity, and justice for the Palestinian people, and to work to create the necessary political horizon for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.