Egypt rejects Israeli proposal for Gaza takeover

Cairo: Egypt has firmly rejected any proposals suggesting it take over the temporary administration of the Gaza Strip, reiterating its unwavering commitment to a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Egypt's Foreign Ministry has emphatically dismissed any proposals that diverge from the country's long-held position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Spokesperson Tamim Khalaf explicitly labelling such suggestions as "rejected and unacceptable.

According to Xinhua news agency, Tamim Khalaf described these proposals as "half-solutions" that would merely perpetuate ongoing conflict cycles, rather than achieving a permanent peace.

He emphasised that the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem, are inseparable and must be under full Palestinian sovereignty and administration. He stressed the "organic connection" between these territories, which are envisioned as the land of the future Palestinian state.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid proposed a controversial plan on Tuesday, suggesting Egypt take over Gaza's administration for at least eight years following the war in Gaza, with the international community's settlement of Egypt's foreign debt as the incentive.

Lapid envisioned a security mechanism involving Israel, Egypt, the United States, and Arab countries to coordinate security in Gaza but did not provide details. He said, "The Egyptians ruled Gaza before, and they know how to do it."

He added that he had not discussed the plan with Egyptian officials directly but had spoken with “leaders throughout the region."

Lapid's eight-point proposal includes maintaining the current ceasefire in Gaza, releasing hostages, and stationing Israeli forces on Gaza's outer borders. The plan also suggests Egyptian administration of Gaza's internal security and civil affairs under a UN Security Council resolution.

Egypt had previously administered the Gaza Strip from 1948 to 1967.

Egypt has flatly rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal to take over the Gaza Strip, deport its native population, and build a Middle Eastern "Riviera."

Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations have condemned the US plan to displace the Palestinians from their historical homeland, insisting instead on making headway with the two-state solution as the only just way to resolve the Palestinian issue. Egypt is now preparing a comprehensive plan to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip without displacing the Palestinians.

Cairo is hosting an emergency Arab Summit on March 4 to discuss ways to support the Palestinians and their cause.

(inputs from IANS)