Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed that Arab states strongly oppose former US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to displace Palestinians from Gaza and assume control of the enclave.
During a meeting in Washington with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Abdelatty emphasized the urgency of Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring that Palestinians remain in their homeland, according to Egypt’s foreign ministry.
The US State Department’s statement did not directly reference Trump’s plan but highlighted Rubio’s call for post-conflict governance in Gaza, stressing that “Hamas can never govern Gaza or threaten Israel again.”
Abdelatty also met with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, reiterating Egypt’s commitment to achieving “comprehensive and just peace and stability” in the region.
Trump’s proposals—first suggested on January 25—called for Egypt and Jordan to accept displaced Palestinians, followed by a US-led takeover of Gaza, raising global concerns. The United Nations and rights groups have labeled these suggestions as a form of ethnic cleansing, echoing long-standing Palestinian fears of permanent expulsion.
The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Nearly all of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
