Cairo: Egypt has firmly opposed any Israeli initiative to divide the West Bank and Gaza Strip or partition the Palestinian enclave, categorizing such actions as 'red lines.' Egypt's Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, articulated this stance during an interview with Egypt's Channel 1, which aired on Friday.
According to Anadolu Agency, Abdelatty emphasized that the West Bank and Gaza Strip should remain united as they collectively constitute an indivisible component of a prospective Palestinian state. He further elaborated that any attempt to segment the Gaza Strip is equally unacceptable. The Foreign Minister dismissed discussions about dividing Gaza into various zones or designating specific areas for reconstruction as inconsequential.
On Thursday, Diaa Rashwan, head of Egypt's State Information Service, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of attempting to hinder the progression of the Gaza ceasefire's second phase, which has been in effect since October 10. Rashwan alleged that Netanyahu is deflecting American focus towards other regional issues, including Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, to delay the ceasefire's advancement, as stated on the state-run Al-Qahera News channel.
The Hebrew daily Israel Hayom reported that a meeting between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump is planned for December 29. The meeting is expected to result in a statement on the progress of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This phase includes significant measures such as Gaza's reconstruction, broader Israeli withdrawal, the establishment of a technocratic committee to manage the enclave, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Israel has not fully honored its obligations under the agreement's first phase, particularly regarding the cessation of hostilities. Israeli forces have persisted in their attacks, resulting in the deaths of at least 411 Palestinians and injuries to 1,118 since the ceasefire's commencement. The United Nations estimates that reconstructing Gaza will cost approximately $70 billion due to the Israeli conflict, which has resulted in nearly 71,000 Palestinian deaths and over 171,000 injuries since October 2023.