Dr Catherine Faragallah Specialist in International Relations
Egypt continues to exercise strategic patience in the face of Israel’s provocations, manufactured crises, and escalating rhetoric – most recently through Tel Aviv’s announcement that it would open the Rafah crossing to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza towards Egypt. Cairo views this as a return to the rejected and dangerous displacement plan. These repeated Israeli statements do nothing but heighten regional tensions. Despite Egypt’s clear and repeated rejection of such remarks, Israel insists that it will open the crossings for the exit of Gazans, adding: “If Egyptians do not wish to receive them, then that is their problem.”
The State Information Service reaffirmed that if an agreement is reached to open the Rafah crossing, movement must occur in both directions, for entry and exit, consistent with the provisions of the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. Egypt, for its part, reiterates its commitment to the ceasefire terms, including operating the Rafah crossing in both directions – receiving the wounded and injured from Gaza and facilitating their return to the Strip. Cairo warned that opening Rafah in one direction only entrenches a policy of forced displacement. Israel’s attempts to shift responsibility onto Egypt for its own displacement agenda have been firmly rejected and condemned by Egypt and by the international community.
Whether forced or “voluntary,” displacement is a red line for Egypt. I view Israel’s actions as a new escalation following its ongoing escalation in the West Bank. From day one of the war, Egypt’s position against the displacement of Gaza’s population has been unequivocal. Cairo has repeatedly declared this, while engaging in humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to help the people of Gaza remain in their land. Egypt delivered massive humanitarian and relief aid, successfully shifting both American and Israeli perspectives on the displacement plan. Cairo also mobilised global support for Palestinian statehood, culminating in the historic Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, which brought together the international community to stop the war – an achievement owed to Egypt’s diplomacy and the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
Today, both President Trump and many world leaders praise Egypt’s firm refusal of displacement and emphasise the necessity of rebuilding the Gaza Strip. Egypt is working tirelessly to convene a conference on early recovery and reconstruction.
Despite Egypt’s warnings that its national security is a red line, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to make inflammatory statements and spread disinformation. In my view, these provocations stem from Israel’s reluctant acceptance of President Trump’s peace plan under US pressure. Tel Aviv appears determined to obstruct the plan, fully aware that President Trump is serious about implementing it and moving to its second phase, especially since phase one is almost complete; only the remains of one Israeli hostage in Hamas custody have yet to be delivered. I believe President Trump will adopt a decisive stance if Israel fails to provide convincing justifications for its behaviour.
Egypt has affirmed repeatedly to Israel and to the world that opening the Rafah crossing would only occur to facilitate the return of Palestinians treated in Egypt, the entry of the wounded and humanitarian cases, and the delivery of aid – especially with the onset of winter, during which Egypt built shelters and mobile housing units for those affected by the harsh weather. Yet Israel’s confrontational approach toward Egypt continues deliberately and persistently.
Any Israeli statements contradicting Egypt’s established principles are completely unacceptable. Cairo has informed the United States and mediators of its categorical rejection of any proposals related to Gaza’s displacement. This stance has been clear since the start of the war. Egypt also refuses any unilateral opening of the Rafah crossing. Moreover, a UN Security Council resolution explicitly requires the crossing to be opened in both directions.
The Fatah movement also held Israel responsible for any measures that would entrench displacement, stressing that forced displacement is rejected both Palestinianly and internationally. Opening Rafah is one of the key provisions of President Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war, which calls for opening the crossing from both sides to ensure humanitarian access – a demand repeatedly made by the UN and relief organisations.
Israel’s repeated statements about Egypt are neither new nor surprising, but part of a long pattern of provocations by the Netanyahu government since the beginning of the war – particularly whenever it faces domestic crises. Israel was supposed to proceed to the second phase of the ceasefire plan, yet it deliberately obstructs it, violating the Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement and refusing to open Rafah, which has remained closed in both directions since the plan came into effect. Israel claims that Hamas must first return all remaining hostages, alive or dead.
However, Hamas has returned all the surviving hostages – twenty in total – in exchange for roughly two thousand Palestinian detainees and convicts. Only the remains of one hostage remain in Gaza. Netanyahu continues to invoke excuses to avoid fulfilling Israel’s obligations, especially the requirement to open Rafah for two-way movement. Many Palestinians wish to return to the Strip.
Ultimately, Netanyahu knows he will have no pretext left once the final remains are delivered – especially after President Trump announced the start of phase two of the plan before the Christmas holidays.
President Sisi’s clear and strategic vision continues to shield Egypt from Israel’s hidden agendas. Egypt’s unwavering stance protects both its national security and the rights of the Palestinian cause.
