Egypt’s involvement in the current situation in the Gaza Strip is based on a rich historical legacy and a clear understanding of the present reality, interpreting events objectively and responding to them to the extent that it advances the interests of the Palestinian people. This is the framework that has shaped Egyptian political leadership’s attitude towards the Palestinian cause over the past several decades and will continue to do so in the future.
The Egyptian action since the start of Israeli military operations in Gaza on 7 October 2023, following the Al-Aqsa Flood and Iron Swords operations has been marked by an unwavering adherence to Egyptian principles and determinants that remain unchanged. These principles include the firm rejection of any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause, refusal of the displacement of Palestinians from their territories, especially to Sinai, and opposition to Israel’s policy of collective punishment, deliberate murders, and destruction of defenseless civilians that Tel Aviv has been pursuing over the past three months without facing any form of deterrence.
Since the first day of Israeli operations, Egypt has moved, aware that it is moving through a minefield and that this war is unlike any of the six that the Gaza Strip has seen since 2008. Notwithstanding the unparalleled challenges, Egypt has prioritised the establishment of a humanitarian truce or ceasefire. This course of action is regarded as a tactical objective that facilitates the attainment of several favorable developments, the most critical of which are the augmentation of humanitarian assistance and the finalization of a prisoner-hostage exchange agreement. By doing so, Egypt can enable the subsequent phase to shift its focus towards the strategic aim of rejuvenating the peace process.
Egypt demonstrated accountability in this regard when it presented proposals comprising multiple consecutive phases aimed at transforming the current situation in Gaza from one of war accompanied by its tragic consequences to one of tranquility, even temporary. It is imperative to highlight a critical aspect that is ardently regarded as being in the best interest of Egypt: Egypt is the only country in the world that has diligently developed a comprehensive plan to extricate the Gaza Strip from its current predicament and we shouldn’t forget that President Al-Sisi articulated a series of fundamental principles for resolving the Gaza crisis during the Cairo Peace Summit on 21 October 2023.
The significance of the Egyptian proposals that were recently advanced extends beyond the stages and requirements they encompass. In my opinion, their paramount value lies in Egypt’s determination to avoid becoming a mere observer state. Therefore, it chose to navigate through the fire and actively participate in the political struggle to safeguard its national security, which it will not tolerate being compromised. Such a course of action is crucial in order to secure solutions, considering that the losses suffered by the Gaza Strip have far exceeded those endured by the cause since 1948.
The Egyptian proposals, on the other hand, cannot be seen as inviolable or unchangeable, but one thing is certain: they can serve as a foundation for negotiations among all involved parties. As such, it is not reasonable or expected that the response to them will be either total acceptance or total rejection. They must be viewed by all as a glimmer of hope in an otherwise very dark tunnel and parties could utilize them to initiate a new phase that may alter the trajectory of the ongoing conflict, whose exact end is unknown.
Alongside these proposals, Egypt was eager to hold talks with all relevant parties, including the Islamic Jihad and Hamas movements, in order to come to agreements that could serve as a foundation for future negotiations. The ultimate goal was to achieve the necessary pacification and foster a gradual improvement in the prevailing circumstances in Gaza, with particular emphasis on mitigating the humanitarian catastrophe that is killing off Gaza’s population.
Although Egypt has taken a commendable step towards developing a shared vision for pacification, this action is marred by two significant complications. First, the US stances do little to alleviate the situation in Gaza. Second, Israel has taken a number of extreme positions, such as refusing to let the displaced return to northern Gaza and even planning to occupy the borderline between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, also known as the Philadelphia axis. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation and suggests that Israeli intentions would hinder any attempts at a resolution.
Israeli stances like these must be seriously considered because Tel Aviv is gearing up for the third phase of its ground operation, which will primarily take place in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. During this phase, Israel will modify its military strategies from its operations in the north and center, reducing the frequency of ground incursions and increasing the precision of its bombing, destruction, and targeting operations. Its goal is to minimize casualties among civilians, thus avoiding further regional and international condemnation and partially giving in to US demands.
Despite the numerous challenges posed by the current situation in Gaza, which is growing more intricate, Egypt will persist in its efforts and maintain a strong commitment to engage with all involved parties until it achieves the desired state of peace, whether through its own proposal or alternative suggestions. Egypt will also maintain its willingness to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in order to achieve a more favorable resolution that elevates the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip from the dire circumstances that the international community helplessly observes to a humanitarian state where the Palestinians are granted minimal human rights recognition amidst a global community that recognizes only the human rights of its own communities.
