Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has forcefully rejected the Israeli notion of the voluntary displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. He categorically dismissed the description of the ongoing exodus as “voluntary,” calling it “nonsense” during a press conference in Cairo on Saturday.
The statement directly challenges recent comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Consequently, Netanyahu has supported the idea that Palestinians should be allowed to leave Gaza voluntarily. He has also suggested that other nations should be prepared to accept them.
Egypt Condemns Voluntary Displacement Concept
Minister Abdelatty, whose country is a primary mediator in ceasefire negotiations, argued that the conditions in Gaza make any notion of voluntary choice impossible. He specifically pointed to the severe humanitarian crisis and the threat of famine as primary drivers forcing people out.
“If there is a manmade famine (in Gaza), it is to push residents out of their land,” Abdelatty stated. He made these remarks at a joint press conference with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
Netanyahu’s Stance on Palestinian Movement
In contrast, a statement from Netanyahu’s office on Friday framed the issue around individual rights. It indicated the Prime Minister had spoken about “the basic human right of every individual to choose where they live, particularly during times of war.” This perspective, however, is fiercely contested by Arab nations and international aid organizations who fear a permanent mass Gaza displacement.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have advanced deeper into Gaza City, repeatedly calling on its residents to evacuate to southern areas. These calls have created waves of internal displacement within the besieged enclave throughout the conflict.
Ceasefire Efforts and Accusations of Intransigence
Beyond the displacement issue, Minister Abdelatty provided an update on diplomatic efforts. He confirmed he had discussed intensifying negotiations with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff the previous day. Their talks focused on implementing the latest ceasefire proposal received.
Furthermore, Abdelatty placed full blame for the stalled peace process on Israel. He accused the Israeli government of intransigence, directly causing the delay in reaching a truce agreement.
The international community, including the United Nations, continues to warn against any actions that could lead to the permanent displacement of Palestinians.
To read more about this, you can visit NBCnews.com.
Disclaimer: The image featured in this article was created using AI. It does not depict a real person, object, or event.
