Forced Displacement and Humanitarian Catastrophe
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty denounced Israel’s characterization of Palestinian displacement from Gaza City as "voluntary," calling it "nonsense" during a joint press conference with UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. Abdelatty emphasized that Israel’s siege and "man-made famine" were deliberate strategies to force Palestinians from their land. His remarks came as Israeli forces intensified bombardment in Gaza City, ordering residents to evacuate to Khan Younis, a region already overwhelmed by malnutrition and destroyed infrastructure. UN officials confirm that 1.2 million Palestinians face famine conditions, with 263 starvation-related deaths, including 112 children, since the war began.
Ceasefire Stalemate and Israeli Intransigence
Abdelatty revealed he discussed ceasefire efforts with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday, blaming Israel’s refusal to engage for the stalled negotiations. Hamas accepted a 60-day truce proposal in August, which included hostage-prisoner exchanges and a framework for a comprehensive peace deal. However, Israel dismissed the proposal, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting on Hamas’s disarmament, a condition Hamas rejects without guarantees of statehood and Israeli withdrawal. Egyptian mediators noted Netanyahu’s prioritization of occupying Gaza City by October 7, 2025, over hostage returns or diplomacy.
Strategic Annexation and Regional Tensions
Israel’s advance into Gaza City aims to formally annex the territory by the war’s two-year anniversary, a move Egypt warns could collapse the 1979 peace treaty. The Israeli military now controls 75% of Gaza, with recent strikes targeting high-rise towers allegedly used by Hamas, claims Hamas denies, noting these buildings housed displaced families. Egypt has deployed 40,000 troops to its border to prevent forced Palestinian expulsion into Sinai, while accusing Israel of weaponizing a $35 billion gas deal to coerce Cairo into accepting displacement.
International Response and Diplomatic Isolation
The UN and Arab leaders have condemned Israel’s actions, with Egypt advocating for a $53 billion reconstruction plan to enable Palestinians to remain in Gaza. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces criticism for endorsing Israel’s policies; though President Donald Trump initially pressured Netanyahu for a ceasefire, his administration later greenlit military operations. With over 64,000 Palestinians killed and Gaza’s infrastructure decimated, international agencies warn that Israel’s offensive risks triggering regional escalation, including direct Egyptian-Israeli conflict.