CAIRO: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has issued a strong warning that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank would cross a “red line” and threaten regional stability. Speaking alongside Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mostafa near the Rafah crossing, Abdelatty stressed that such a move would amount to an effort to “liquidate the Palestinian cause,” something Egypt and Jordan firmly reject.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Abdelatty also highlighted Egypt’s humanitarian role, noting that Cairo has facilitated nearly 70 percent of the aid entering Gaza since the outbreak of war in October 2023 and has treated more than 18,000 wounded Palestinians across 172 Egyptian hospitals.
The warning comes as Israel intensifies preparations for a major offensive to seize full control of Gaza City. Thousands of residents, particularly from the eastern districts, have already begun fleeing southward, fearing mass displacement. Reports suggest the Israeli military may seek to forcibly relocate up to one million Palestinians from the city, even as southern areas struggle to cope with severe shortages of food, water, and shelter.
The humanitarian toll continues to climb, with Palestinian casualties surpassing 61,000 and more than 1.3 million people displaced. Aid agencies warn that famine and disease are spreading rapidly, creating one of the most severe crises in recent decades.
Amid the escalating violence, ceasefire negotiations have shown a faint glimmer of progress. Hamas has indicated its approval of a 60-day truce proposal mediated by Egypt and Qatar, which would include a partial hostage exchange and temporary humanitarian relief. However, disagreements remain as Israel insists on full hostage releases and Hamas resists measures that could weaken its control.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, Egypt’s firm stance underscores the risks of forced displacement for both Palestinians and regional stability. Yet, with Israeli military operations advancing and humanitarian conditions deteriorating, the road to any meaningful resolution remains fraught with uncertainty.