Egypt rejects characterization of Palestinian displacement as voluntary as absurdity
In the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the United Nations has issued a dire warning of a looming disaster as the Israeli offensive continues. The vast majority of Gaza's population of over two million people have been displaced at least once during the war, with nearly one million people remaining in and around Gaza City. Israel expects the offensive to displace a million people further south.
Israeli forces have been advancing deeper into Gaza's largest urban area, Gaza City, and have called on residents to leave for the south, specifically to the humanitarian zone named Al-Mawasi. The Israeli army has urged residents to move early to Al-Mawasi, which is located on Gaza's southern coast and equipped with field hospitals, water pipelines, desalination facilities, food supplies, tents, medicines, and medical equipment.
However, residents of Gaza City, such as Abdel Nasser Mushtaha from the Zeitoun neighborhood, have expressed concern about the safety of Al-Mawasi. Mushtaha stated that the worst bombings causing civilian casualties have been in Al-Mawasi, the so-called humanitarian zone. These concerns are not unfounded, as Israel has previously declared Al-Mawasi a safe zone but has carried out repeated strikes there, targeting Hamas fighters hiding among civilians.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has also criticized the displacement of Palestinians, stating that describing it as voluntary is "nonsense." The UN has declared a famine last month in Gaza City, and relief efforts in Al-Mawasi are ongoing, in cooperation with the UN and international organizations such as SOS Children's Villages, the World Food Programme (WFP), Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), Caritas, the Red Cross, and UNICEF.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has stated that the US is in "deep negotiation" with Hamas over the captives being held in Gaza. Israel has demanded that Hamas release all the hostages at once, disarm, and relinquish control of Gaza, among other conditions. Hamas agreed last month to a proposal for a temporary ceasefire and staggered hostage releases. The expansion of the ground operation in Gaza is planned to continue.
As the conflict continues, the plight of the displaced Palestinians and the ongoing humanitarian efforts remain a pressing concern for the international community. Residents of Gaza City believe it makes little difference whether they stay or flee, as bombings and deaths occur everywhere in Gaza. The UN, international organizations, and local residents continue to work tirelessly to provide aid and support to those affected by the conflict.
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