Egypt's Stand Against Palestinian Displacement into Sinai, Cites Security Risk

The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, made a stern statement on Wednesday, expressing his strong opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians into Sinai. He warned that such a move might cause the Egyptian peninsula to be used as a launching pad for attacks against Israel.

Addressing a joint press conference held in Cairo with The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President Sisi suggested leaving the Palestinians in the Negev desert till the situation with the militants is addressed. The Marj al-Sultan border between Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip is the only way in or out of the Palestinian territory that is not controlled by Israel.

Increasing fears have arisen concerning the possibility of Gaza’s 2.3-million residents being coerced into relocating southwards into Sinai due to Israel’s bombardment and siege of Gaza, aimed at obliterating the Hamas militants in control of the strip. Sisi condemned such attempts stating that Egypt firmly rejects all efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue via military methods or the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland. He added that such a move may come at the expense of the region's nations.

President Sisi also voiced the potential stance of the Egyptian people who he said would protest in their millions against the forceful displacement of Gaza’s inhabitants to Sinai. Hamas official Osama Hamdan echoed this sentiment, urging for unified support around the Egyptian stance both on popular and official Arab levels.

As a result of an escalating Islamist insurgency near its border with Gaza in northeastern Sinai that began a decade ago, Egypt remains cautious of insecurity. In President Sisi's words, a transfer of Palestinians to Sinai would only shift the idea of warfare from the Gaza Strip to Sinai, making it an operational hub against Israel.

In line with Egypt, Jordan, which shares a border with Israeli-occupied West Bank and had previously absorbed most of the Palestinians displaced from their homes after the creation of the state of Israel, has also issued warnings against Palestinian displacement.