Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi confirmed on Wednesday that "Egyptians will reject any forced displacement of Palestinians to Sinai," adding that "this would turn the peninsula into a base from which attacks against Israel are launched." During his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, he stated: "Pushing civilians to seek refuge and migrate to Egypt... is unacceptable for all of us, not just for Egypt."
He explained that "the transfer of Palestinian citizens from Gaza to Sinai would mean transferring the idea of resistance and combat from Gaza to Sinai, and thus Sinai would become a base for launching operations against Israel." He noted that "Gaza is currently under Israeli control. If there is a notion of displacement, there is the Negev Desert in Israel where Palestinians could be relocated until Israel completes its declared mission of dismantling resistance or armed groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad."
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, for his part, indicated that he is "confident that aid can soon be allowed into Gaza, following his discussions with leaders from Israel, Jordan, and Egypt," stating: "We are all closely united, so I have a feeling that this could happen soon."
Scholz's visit to Tel Aviv on Tuesday did not occur without incident amidst heavy Palestinian rocket fire on Israeli settlements. Scholz and his accompanying team arrived at Ben Gurion Airport against the backdrop of sirens and rockets from "Qassam Brigades." The German Chancellor and his aides were forced to take cover behind vehicles on the airport ground after quickly exiting the plane amidst the sound of alarms.
