Egypt Pledges ‘Decisive Response’ to Confront Palestinian Displacement

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks before parliament. (Egyptian government)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks before parliament. (Egyptian government)
TT

Egypt Pledges ‘Decisive Response’ to Confront Palestinian Displacement

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks before parliament. (Egyptian government)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly speaks before parliament. (Egyptian government)

Egypt is committed to safeguarding its national security and considers any attempt to displace Palestinians forcibly an infringement upon its sovereignty, asserted Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Tuesday.

Madbouly pledged that Egypt would not hesitate to use all measures to safeguard its borders in the event of any scenario regarding the displacement of Palestinians into Egyptian territories.

Madbouly was speaking during a parliamentary general session in response to 16 interpellation requests submitted by lawmakers regarding Egypt’s efforts to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

He reiterated that Egypt has never closed the Rafah border crossing “even for a moment,” he said, dismissing such reports as “part of fourth-generation warfare, targeting, and undermining Egypt.”

The Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side was struck by Israel several times to prevent the evacuation of the wounded and the entry of aid, said Madbouly.

The PM also affirmed that Egypt is committed to safeguarding its national security, warning that Israeli policies will have dire regional and global consequences.

Madbouly said calls for “forced displacement” aim to “liquidate the Palestinian cause,” explaining that Egypt has so far received nine million refugees from different nationalities.

However, he added: “Allowing the entry of two million Palestinians under the current conditions would mean the permanent liquidation of the Palestinian issue, which Egypt will not accept under any circumstances.”

Since the beginning of the war on Gaza last month, Egypt has “repeatedly” affirmed its rejection of the “forced displacement” of Palestinians.

Head of the National Unionist Party MP Atef Maghawry told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Prime Minister’s remarks carry several vital messages, most notably Egypt’s right to secure its borders and defend its national security.

Speaker Hanafi Jebali stressed the parliament’s categorical rejection of coercing the Palestinians into internal displacement or forcibly displacing them outside their lands, specifically towards Egyptian territories in Sinai.

Former Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Orabi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PM’s remarks carried “important diplomatic messages.”

He reiterated Cairo’s firm position in support of the Palestinian people, but stressed that Egypt has the right to secure its borders and defend its national security.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
TT

US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.