According to Egypt, Israel is forcing civilians to flee and come to their country as Gaza refugees. In response to the humanitarian concerns, Egypt is willing to give aid and allow their country as an aid corridor. However, Egypt rejects any move to set up safe corridors for refugees fleeing the enclave. The Egyptian security seem to be battling with a lot of instability around the border.

Since the UN partition of the region, Gaza, a coastal strip of land wedged between Israel in the north and east and Egypt to the southwest. It houses about 2.3 million people who have been living under a blockade since Palestinian armed group Hamas took control.

Over the years, Egypt has long restricted the flow of Gaza Palestinians, sadly even during the toughest conflicts.

What is the response of the US to Gaza refugees?

Speaking for the US National Security, Advisor Jake Sullivan remarked the US has been holding consultations with Isreal and Egypt. This is in relation to Egypt allowing a safe passage for civillians from Gaza. Mainly because of the devastating Isreali reaction to a deadly incursion by Hamas fighters into Isreal.

In addition, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, the consultations were continuing.Based on reports from Reuters news agency, Egypt is uncomfortable with providing safe corridors for civilians to protect “the right of Palestinians to hold on to their cause and their land”.

What is the right to return?

In a bit to assist Palestinian refugees, many Arab states still have camps. They are open for descendants of those who fled. Others have left their homes during the war surrounding Israel’s 1948 creation.

For the wider middle east states, a final peace deal must include the right of those Gaza refugees to return to Palenstine  This is a move Israel isn’t willing to approve.

How is the United Nations reacting to assist Gaza refugees?

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres promised fundamental  supplies, including fuel, food and water, should be allowed into Gaza.

“We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now,” he told reporters, thanking Egypt “for its constructive engagement to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance”, according to Aljazeera.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric later added: “Civilians need to be protected. We do not want to see a mass exodus of Gaza…”

In another discussion between the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani,  Egypt has been intensifying its efforts to contain the situation in Gaza. 

Based on the Egyptian security sources, talks between Egypt and the US, Qatar and Turkey are centered on delivering humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula under a geographically limited ceasefire.

To show humanitarian support, Turkey’s president said work had started to deliver aid, without elaborating.

Sadly, Gaza and Eyptian reports add that the Rafah crossing, which is the main exit point from Gaza not controlled by Israel, has been closed since October. This is because, there were Israeli bombardments on the Palestinian side.

With repeated comments, Egypt warns against the possibility that Israel’s assault on Gaza could lead to the displacement of residents from the enclave onto Egyptian territory.

In response, Israel’s ambassador in Egypt, Amira Oron, said on social media that Israel had “no intentions in relation to Sinai, and has not asked Palestinians to move there … Sinai is Egyptian territory.

Recommendation

Now more than ever is the time for the world to offer assistance to both sides in this conflict. Mere promises of humanitarian help and political dialogues with interest should not be entertained.

War has never been a solution to disagreements, and it will never be. Many people are now named Gaza refugees

Go here to read more stories about refugees around the world.