Ankara: Egypt categorically denied on Monday media reports claiming that it will accept displaced Palestinians from Gaza in exchange for economic aid.

According to Anadolu Agency, the State Information Service (SIS) issued a statement emphasizing that the displacement of Gazans "represents a liquidation of the Palestinian cause and an imminent threat to Egyptian national security." The statement reiterated Egypt's absolute rejection of any attempt to forcibly or voluntarily displace Palestinians from Gaza to any location outside the enclave, particularly to Egypt.

The SIS emphasized that Egyptian foreign policy has never been based on bargaining supreme Egyptian and Arab interests for any form of gain. It highlighted that Egypt has willingly and patiently borne significant economic and financial burdens without making any concessions in terms of national security or the broader security of the Arab world. Additionally, the statement underscored Egypt's commitment to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

On Friday, Egypt dismissed Israeli media reports alleging that Cairo is preparing to temporarily relocate 500,000 Palestinians to a designated city in North Sinai as part of a plan to rebuild Gaza.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, resulting in the deaths of at least 730 people and injuring nearly 1,200 others, despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took effect in January. Since October 2023, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 113,200 injured in an ongoing Israeli military onslaught on Gaza.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.