President Mohammed bin Zayed’s visit to Cairo was not just a friendly meeting: according to a report from the London-based site Al-Arabi Al-Jadid, bin Zayed arrived with an American political message for the Egyptian government regarding the Gaza Strip.
According to Egyptian diplomatic sources quoted in the report, the United States has been pressing Egypt in recent weeks to accept a part of the Gazan population as part of Trump’s regional “solution.” According to the mediation, Egypt was warned that this is a “last opportunity” for an agreement that would also include extensive economic support, but if they refuse, they may lose economic assistance and American backing in international institutions.
The Plan: Tens of Thousands of Palestinians in Exchange for Billions for the Egyptian Economy
According to the report, the discussed plan includes, in the first phase, the transfer of about 500,000 to 700,000 residents from the northern areas of Gaza, from the enclave north of the Netzarim route—to Egyptian territory, likely in northern Sinai. In a later stage, according to the planning, the program would be expanded, and residents from Gaza would also be moved to Jordan.
Additionally, it was noted that Israel itself is promoting a plan to establish a new unit in the Ministry of Defense to deal with the “voluntary” exit of Palestinians to third countries. “Last night, the Israeli security cabinet approved a proposal submitted by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to establish a new department in the Ministry of Defense that will organize and facilitate the voluntary departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to third countries,” the article stated, and the Arabic report added that “a statement from Katz’s office indicated that the government would act to ‘prepare and organize the safe and orderly exit of Gaza residents’ by providing transportation routes and sorting measures for passengers at specific crossings within the Strip, in addition to coordinating the necessary infrastructure to facilitate travel by land, sea, and air to their final destinations.”
Egypt Denies: “We Will Not Participate in the Transfer of Palestinians”
As a reminder, the Egyptian Information Ministry issued a strong denial of reports that Egypt is willing to temporarily accommodate hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. According to the statement, “Egypt completely rejects any scenario of transferring residents from Gaza, whether by force or purportedly out of willingness.”
The Egyptian government reiterated its position that any attempt to implement such a move would pose “a danger to Egyptian national security.” It was also stated that Egypt intends to continue leading a plan for the reconstruction of Gaza without relocating residents from the area, a position that was also affirmed at the recent Cairo conference at the beginning of March.
Is the Positive Atmosphere Only for Show?
Alongside these reports, the Egyptian government continues to emphasize warm relations with the United Arab Emirates. According to the official spokesperson for the Egyptian president, bin Zayed’s visit included a festive Iftar meal at the presidential residence, where the close ties between the countries were highlighted, along with a willingness to continue strengthening cooperation in the fields of economy, development, and investments.
