Egyptian president rejects displacement of Gazans to Sinai Peninsula

By Ibrahim Khazin

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AA) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday again rejected the displacement of Gazans to the Sinai Peninsula due to the ongoing Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the importance of not compromising on the Palestinian cause.

Addressing a joint press conference in Cairo with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, al-Sisi said millions of Egyptians would stand in support of the official stance, private Cairo News Channel reported.

Al-Sisi proposed temporarily relocating Palestinians to the Negev Desert in Israel until it completes its military operations.

More than 500 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials in the besieged enclave. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Amid worldwide condemnation, UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala