Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has reportedly expressed willingness to temporarily relocate up to 500,000 residents from Gaza to a designated area in northern Sinai to facilitate reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. This information comes from a report by the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar.
According to the report, President el-Sisi conveyed this proposal during discussions with other Arab leaders. The plan involves opening border crossings between Gaza and Sinai to allow residents seeking temporary relocation to move into a designated city in northern Sinai.
This reported initiative aligns with Egypt’s ongoing efforts to lead reconstruction in Gaza. Earlier this month, during an Arab League summit in Cairo, Arab leaders endorsed Egypt’s $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza, emphasizing the importance of Palestinians remaining on their land. This plan was presented as an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to redevelop Gaza as a tourist destination, which involved relocating its population, a proposal that faced widespread opposition in the Arab world.
The Arab League’s endorsement of Egypt’s reconstruction plan underscores regional support for initiatives that maintain the Palestinian presence in Gaza. The plan includes provisions for temporary housing, infrastructure development, and sustainable urban planning, aiming to improve living conditions without necessitating permanent displacement.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Egyptian government regarding the reported proposal to temporarily relocate Gazans to northern Sinai. The information is based on reports from regional media outlets, and official statements are awaited to verify these claims.
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