Egypt Warns Israel: “Expelling Gazans Is a Red Line”

Egypt’s foreign minister has issued a stark warning that Cairo will never accept the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, calling it a “red line” for Egypt’s national security.

In an interview with CNN from the city of El-Arish in northern Sinai, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed that his country is working through “various channels, with one goal - to ease the burden and suffering of the Palestinians.”

“We will not accept it, we will not participate in it, and we will not allow it to happen,” Abdelatty declared, adding that such expulsion would be “a one-way ticket” for Gaza’s residents, ultimately leading to “the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.”

Israeli statements spark alarm

The warning comes in response to recent comments by Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promoting the idea of voluntary emigration of Gaza’s residents. The notion gained momentum after US President Donald Trump floated it earlier this year, upon returning to the White House.

Visit to Rafah border

On Monday, Abdelatty toured the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing alongside Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. He condemned what he described as one of “the greatest human tragedies of modern times” unfolding in Gaza.

“Egypt stands in solidarity with the Palestinians in their efforts to achieve their legitimate rights,” he said, “first and foremost the establishment of a Palestinian state and an end to the war in Gaza.”

Abdelatty stressed that Cairo’s position on the Palestinian issue is “firm and unchanging.” He underscored Egypt’s outright opposition to any attempt to displace Palestinians or alter the demographics of the land, warning against what he called “reckless and provocative declarations about annexing the West Bank or illusions of a so-called ‘Greater Israel.’”

Humanitarian role

The minister also highlighted Egypt’s central role in providing aid to Gaza. According to him, Egypt has delivered 70% of all humanitarian assistance to the enclave since the start of the war - more than 550,000 tons in total.

“Over 5,000 aid trucks are now waiting on the Egyptian side of Rafah to enter Gaza, but Israel is imposing restrictions preventing their passage,” Abdelatty charged.

He concluded with an appeal to the international community:

“I emphasize the need to pressure Israel to stop the fire and to allow the immediate, safe, and unconditional entry of humanitarian assistance into all of Gaza.”