Egypt has firmly rejected Israel’s proposal to build a “humanitarian city” in southern Gaza, raising alarms that the plan risks triggering a refugee crisis along its border and exacerbating regional tensions. During a call with U.S. Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff last week, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty condemned the initiative, which would create a gated enclave in Rafah to house 600,000 Palestinians displaced from northern Gaza. According to the Israeli proposal, residents would be barred indefinitely from returning to their homes, a condition Cairo argues amounts to forced displacement.
The plan has drawn sharp criticism across Egyptian society, with citizens and officials alike framing it as an existential threat to Palestinian rights. “The Arab position is unified: no displacement, no evacuations, and no compromising the Palestinian cause,” said Ahmed Hassan, an Egyptian resident, reflecting a sentiment echoed in interviews with others. Karam Al-Abassi, another citizen, emphasized, “This is their land. No one would accept being pushed out of their home.” Mohamed Hani, a third interviewee, added that the proposal exploits Gaza’s lack of military strength to justify seizing territory he described as “Palestine since ancient times.”
Regional bodies have also mobilized against the proposal. The Arab League labeled the camp part of an “ethnic cleansing strategy,” alleging Israel aims to entrench demographic control. Mohamed Al-Sherif, head of the Al-Araby Center for Research and Studies, accused Israel of disregarding humanitarian principles, citing past controversies over aid distribution. Cairo’s objections hinge partly on fears of a mass Palestinian exodus to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, which could destabilize the border region. Additionally, an increased Israeli security presence near the Egypt-Gaza frontier would violate the 1979 peace treaty prohibiting militarization of the area.
Domestic divisions in Israel have further complicated the proposal. Critics argue the camp’s costs would strain the economy, while international Jewish groups warn it risks evoking comparisons to historical atrocities, potentially fueling antisemitism. Al-Sherif cautioned that expanding conflict zones—like recent escalations with Iran—undermine Israel’s security: “Liquidating the Palestinian cause won’t bring safety.”
As debates intensify, the plan underscores broader tensions over Gaza’s future, with regional stability and international perceptions hanging in the balance.
