Egypt denies report it agreed to receive half a million Gazans as part of Trump reconstruction plan

Egypt denied a report stating that the country could agree to receive half a million Gazans as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed reconstruction plans for the Gaza Strip, which drew considerable attention on Friday..

The report was published by al-Akhbar, a Lebanese outlet affiliated with the Hezbollah terror group.

According to the newspaper, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently expressed his willingness to temporarily allow half a million Gazans to settle in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

This reportedly came in the context of internal Arab talks about a response to Trump’s plans, which include the evacuation of the entire enclave’s population.

El-Sisi was said to have told representatives of the Gulf countries that Cairo would allow “the temporary transfer of half a million Gazans to a designated place for them in northern Sinai,” given the expected difficulties in reconstructing Gaza and the conditions set by Israel and the United States for the start of reconstruction work.

The report has not been confirmed by any other source. Later on Friday, Egypt denied the veracity of the report.

According to Israel Hayom, two political sources told the Israeli newspaper that Israel has, so far, not recognized any readiness by Egypt to construct a temporary city for Gazans in the Sinai.

Another Israeli official told Ynet News: “We do not recognize such an intention, but if it is true – it is the right step and we welcome it.” However, the report noted that the Israeli assessment considers such an initiative unlikely and views al-Akhbar’s report as probably not credible.

In February, Trump unveiled a shocking plan that would see the U.S. “take ownership” of Gaza and “get rid of the destroyed buildings and create an economic development that will supply unlimited numbers of jobs and housing.”

Trump vowed to develop the coastal enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East,” adding that all of the population of Gaza should be resettled “in areas where they can live a beautiful life.” They could be moved to Jordan or Egypt, or “it could be other countries,” he added.

During an emergency summit in Cairo earlier this month, Arab leaders adopted an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza that would cost $53 billion and avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave.

At the time, el-Sisi said the emergency summit was convened to “achieve Arab interests, preserve Arab national security, and enhance joint Arab action.” 

Following the rejection of Trump’s plans by Egypt, Jordan and others, reports suggested that his administration and Israel were still seeking countries willing to accept the Gazan population of around two million.

According to recent reports, Israel and the U.S. are considering Syria, Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland as possible destinations.