Egypt on Friday dismissed as "baseless" claims by Israeli media that it plans to relocate 500,000 Palestinians from Gaza to its North Sinai province that borders the enclave, stressing its commitment to a reconstruction plan for the war-ravaged territory.
Former head of the Egyptian army’s Department of Morale Affairs Maj. Gen. Samir Farag described the allegations as an attempt to "deflect from Israel’s internal crises and test Cairo’s response."
"Egypt is determined to implement the Gaza reconstruction plan, and such attempts will not deter it from continuing or securing international support," Farag told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Egypt on Friday firmly denied media reports claiming it was prepared to temporarily relocate 500,000 Palestinians from Gaza to a designated city in North Sinai as part of reconstruction efforts, the State Information Service (SIS) said in a statement.
The SIS dismissed the allegations as "false and unfounded," emphasizing that they "completely contradict Egypt’s firm and principled stance," which it has maintained since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
Cairo "categorically and unequivocally rejects any attempt to forcibly or voluntarily displace Palestinians from Gaza, especially to Egypt, as it would undermine the Palestinian cause and pose a serious threat to national security," the statement added.
Egypt’s firm stance against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza underpins the reconstruction plan it proposed at the recent Cairo Arab Emergency Summit, which was unanimously approved, the SIS affirmed.
The plan aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip without forcing a single Palestinian to leave, the statement stressed.
On Friday, Israel’s i24 News cited a report from Lebanon’s Al-Akhbar newspaper alleging discussions about Egypt receiving 500,000 Gazans in North Sinai. However, the newspaper attributed the claim to Israeli media without citing official sources.
Farag reiterated that Egypt has opposed the displacement of Palestinians "since the first day of the Gaza war" and remains committed to its reconstruction plan.
"These claims are merely a test of Egypt’s resolve, a psychological warfare tactic, and an attempt to shift the crisis onto Egypt," he said, adding that they come as Israel faces internal turmoil and as Cairo continues efforts to push for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations.
