The war on Hamas has led to a surge of Gazans in Cairo, where concerns about displaced families persist. President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians intensifies fears of destabilization in Egypt. President Sisi is leveraging diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis while safeguarding national interests, as Egypt grapples with the economic fallout from the conflict.
Cairo’s coffee shops are bustling with Gazans who escaped the recent war on Hamas, yet many worry about family members still trapped in Gaza. Egyptian intelligence has been negotiating with Hamas leaders to stabilize a fragile ceasefire, reflecting the deep involvement of Egyptians in the ongoing conflict. The latest proposal from President Trump raises fears about displacing two million Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan, seen as a looming threat to Egyptian stability.
During Friday prayers, Egyptians voiced their concern regarding Trump’s plan, with civil engineer Abdo stating, “We’d be moving the battlefront from their land into our own!” Critics emphasize that displacing Gazans undermines the Palestinian quest for statehood and could fuel extremism in Egypt. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is navigating this crisis with intense diplomatic efforts to manage the perception and reality of U.S.-Egypt relations.
Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, a key aspect of U.S. influence in the region, is under scrutiny as tensions rise. Some commentators challenge the value of U.S. military assistance, insisting on Egyptian sovereignty against perceived American pressure. In contrast to Jordan’s pacifying approach, Sisi has opted not to visit Washington while the issue of Palestinian displacement is on the table.
The economic effects of the Gaza conflict are significant for Egypt, which reports an $8 billion drop in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on vessels. To combat the challenges posed by the situation, Egypt aims to develop a reconstruction plan for Gaza, which includes assisting Palestinians without displacement. Hisham Talaat Moustafa, a tycoon allied with Sisi, has proposed a $20 billion initiative to build homes in Gaza.
Sisi’s strategy also encompasses innovative reconstruction ideas while engaging international powers, including the U.S., for support. The upcoming Arab summit hosted by Egypt aims to establish alternative proposals for Gaza that prioritize stability and humanitarian solutions, minimizing Hamas’s role in governance. However, achieving consensus amid Israeli opposition is complex, underscoring the challenges Sisi faces.
The international community’s involvement in Gaza remains uncertain, with previous proposals for a transition to Palestinian Authority leadership being met with Israeli resistance. Egypt remains committed to the two-state solution, advocating for a balanced approach to peace initiatives. Citizens express skepticism regarding the potential consequences of absorbing more Gazans amid domestic unrest exacerbated by the current refugee situation.
The ongoing Gaza conflict poses significant challenges to Egypt-US relations, as President Trump’s proposal for Palestinian relocation stirs fears among Egyptians. President Sisi is undertaking diplomatic maneuvers to reinforce Egypt’s sovereignty while addressing the humanitarian crisis. Efforts to design a reconstruction plan without displacing Gazans highlight Egypt’s commitment to regional stability, underscoring the complexities of this geopolitical crisis.
Original Source: news.az
