Gaza's Crisis Challenges Egypt's Relations with the US Amid New Resettlement Proposals**

Amid a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Egypt grapples with President Trump's controversial proposal to resettle Palestinians within its borders, stirring national concern and challenging US-Egypt relations.**

 

In the bustling streets of Cairo, the influx of Gazan refugees escaping the ongoing conflict has brought both relief and anxiety among the local population. Many of these displaced individuals worry deeply for their family members still in the war-torn region. Recent high-level meetings between Egyptian intelligence and Hamas leaders reflect Cairo's attempts to stabilize a fragile ceasefire amid the escalating crisis.

The shockwaves of President Trump's unexpected post-war strategy, which suggests displacing up to two million Palestinians to territories in Egypt and Jordan, have ignited fears among Egyptians of an impending threat to national sovereignty. Local sentiment expressed during Friday prayers reveals a widespread belief that the proposal would merely shift the battleground of conflict from Gaza to Egypt. "This would create an excuse for Israel to conduct military operations on our soil under the guise of self-defense," warned Abdo, a civil engineer. Many Egyptians contend that such displacement would undermine the Palestinian pursuit of statehood and exacerbate extremism and instability domestically.

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi is navigating these turbulent waters with a delicate diplomatic strategy aimed at signaling Egypt's displeasure with US suggestions while maintaining its historical alliance. Analysts note that the longstanding peace treaty with Israel, viewed as a bedrock of US influence in the region since its inception in 1979, is now under scrutiny as Sisi considers how best to address the implications of the proposed resettlement.

Public discourse on late-night television programs has seen robust criticism of American military assistance, with some commentators arguing that it does not serve Egypt's interests and that the country should resist external pressure. In stark contrast, King Abdullah II of Jordan has opted for a conciliatory approach during his recent meeting with Trump, which highlights the divergent paths both leaders are taking regarding US proposals.

Sisi is reportedly refraining from visiting Washington as long as the displacement of Gazans remains a topic of discussion. Meanwhile, Egypt's economy is already struggling under the strain of the ongoing conflict, with losses reportedly reaching $8 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to regional instability.

In response to the humanitarian needs arising from the war, Sisi's administration is attempting to craft a reconstruction initiative for Gaza that does not involve the large-scale relocation of Palestinians. Close economic advisor Hisham Talaat Moustafa has been publicizing a significant proposal advocating for the construction of 200,000 homes in Gaza over three years, projecting optimism about finding safe relocation areas for displaced persons without them leaving their homeland.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently noted that Arab states largely oppose the Trump plan, calling for alternative proposals to emerge. Egypt is pushing for an Arab summit to discuss a different vision for Gaza, with the intention of mobilizing regional financial support for reconstruction efforts while sidelining Hamas from governance in the process.

However, establishing a consensus that satisfies Israel's right-wing government remains a daunting challenge. The former US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, suggested that external powers and the UN should temporarily oversee Gaza until the Palestinian Authority regains governance, a notion rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As discussions continue, there is a collective understanding in Egypt that maintaining a strong stance against US proposals is in its best interests. The fear of becoming a permanent sanctuary for displaced Palestinians, along with the threat of enabling an influx of Hamas sympathizers to establish a foothold on Egyptian soil, weighs heavily on public sentiment. "The Palestinians deserve their land, not ours," declared a local shop owner, as he echoed the sentiments of many who believe Egypt should not bear the burden of others' regional conflicts while standing firm against external pressures.