Palestinian Cause: Emergency Arab Summit Set for Cairo on February 27

Dr. Tarek Fahmy, a political science professor, stressed that the upcoming emergency Arab summit came at a critical juncture, underscoring the need for a unified Arab stance in dealing with the US administration. 

The summit’s central agenda will focus on the issue of forced displacement, making it imperative for Arab countries to present a cohesive position and agree on the next course of action. The debate is not about rejecting displacement—this is a well-established stance, particularly for Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia—but about formulating a collective Arab approach in future dealings with Washington. He also cautioned against dismissing US statements on Gaza as mere rhetoric, emphasizing that a global power like the United States does not engage with Egypt and the Arab world in such a superficial manner, especially in light of their longstanding diplomatic ties and shared strategic interests.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Crucial USA Visit

Former Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mohamed Hegazy, underscored the significance of the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Afffairs’ upcoming visit to the United States, calling it a pivotal moment in light of Egypt’s firm opposition to the forced displacement of Gaza’s residents. 

The visit seeks to engage with the new US administration, emphasizing that regional interests must be taken into account and that displacement proposals would destabilize the region. 

Ambassador Hegazy stressed that it was imperative to push forward with the internationally recognized two-state solution, particularly after the completion of the third phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. He also highlighted Egypt’s intensified diplomatic efforts, noting that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, conducted 12 phone calls in a single day with key Arab and international leaders to counter mounting US-Israeli pressure, which became particularly evident during the joint press conference held by Netanyahu and Trump.

The Middle East’s Reshaping: A Political Perspective

Former League of Arab States Secretary-General, Amr Moussa, warns that the Middle East is undergoing a fundamental transformation. He argues that the first phase of this shift began in 2011, and the region is now entering a second stage—one that aims at sidelining the Palestinian cause and dismantling Palestinian resistance. 

However, he asserts that such efforts are doomed to fail, as resistance is an inevitable response to oppression. Addressing the issue of Palestinian displacement, Moussa reveales that Egypt categorically rejected an offer to resettle Palestinians on its territory in exchange for a significant financial incentive. He stresses that anyone who assumes Egypt would entertain such a proposal misunderstands the country’s deep sense of sovereignty and national dignity. Additionally, he notes that Washington is unlikely to risk a confrontation that could strain its strategic alliance with Egypt, nor would it be willing to compromise its relationships with key regional players such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Israeli Delegation Lands in Doha to Resume Ceasefire Negotiations for Gaza

Dr. Hamed Fares, an international relations expert, highlighted the growing ambiguity surrounding the ongoing ceasefire talks, particularly in light of recent US statements that have added new layers of complexity to the negotiations. He warned that those diplomatic efforts might encounter deliberate roadblocks designed to prevent the implementation of the second and third phases of the agreement. Given this fragile situation, he stressed the crucial role of mediators—especially Egypt and Qatar—in intensifying their efforts to capitalize on mounting domestic pressure within Israel, which is urging Netanyahu’s government to honor the terms of the agreement.