Speaking at a forum in Washington on Tuesday, Lapid proposed that Egypt take charge of the administration of Gaza for eight years, with the possibility of extending the period to 15, following the war between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Instead, he estimated that creditor countries and financial organizations could cancel Egypt’s debt.

In statements to Al-Arabiya television network, an official source who preferred to remain anonymous ratified Egypt’s position in support of the Palestinian cause. The source refused to link the two issues and assured that Egypt will pay its foreign debt.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday reiterated his total rejection of any project to displace the inhabitants of Gaza, as recently proposed by US President Donald Trump.

According to a statement from the presidency, during a meeting held in the capital, El-Sisi and Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Al-Hikmma National Movement of Iraq, condemned the expulsion of Palestinians from their ancestral lands. The statement stressed that both parties insisted on the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, considering that it is “the only guarantee for achieving lasting peace in the region.”

In recent weeks, El-Sisi reiterated his rejection of the displacement of the population of the Strip and insisted on maintaining the truce and the creation of a Palestinian state. During meetings with several statesmen and world figures in recent days, he ratified the position of his government, which is supported by all its Arab neighbors.

Egypt’s Foreign Ministry announced the holding of an Arab summit on March 4th in support of Palestine and to rebuild Gaza. Regional press said the event was a clear response to Trump’s initiative.

Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and the rest of the Arab nations strongly condemned the White House project, considering it a violation of international laws and norms.

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