Israel has recently sought international support for a controversial proposal to transfer hundreds of thousands of Gazans to Egypt temporarily amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to a report by The New York Times published on Sunday. This initiative, as stated by "six senior diplomats," was presented by senior Israeli officials in conjunction with diplomats posted in various foreign countries. The primary goal was to offer innocent Gazan civilians a safe haven from the conflict with Hamas, with plans including the establishment of refugee camps in the Sinai desert, near the Rafah crossing.

However, the proposal encountered significant resistance from most of Israel's allies, including the United States and Britain. These countries expressed concerns that the establishment of refugee camps in Egypt might potentially trigger instability within Egypt itself. Moreover, they suspected that the Israeli government's motives might extend beyond humanitarian efforts, speculating that it could be a part of a broader plan to permanently displace Palestinians from Israeli territory.

🇪🇬🇵🇸🇮🇱🚨‼️ Israeli ministry of intelligence endorsed the plan of moving of Palestinians to the Sinai (Egypt). pic.twitter.com/DrrHjtgqH2

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) October 30, 2023

Egypt, a key regional player in the ongoing situation, categorically rejected the plan. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi emphasized Egypt's unwavering stance against any forced deportation or exile of Palestinians to Egyptian territories in the Sinai, highlighting the importance of preserving Palestinian identity and rights. In response to the report, the Prime Minister's Office declined to provide any official comments.

The concerns expressed by President Al-Sisi reflect the increasing apprehension in Cairo regarding the potential consequences of a mass Palestinian migration to the Sinai region. One notable concern revolves around the possibility that such a migration could undermine Egypt's efforts in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Egyptian military has been engaged in a prolonged battle against jihadist organizations. Additionally, there is a fear that Palestinian militants might exploit Sinai as a base to launch attacks against Israel, potentially drawing Egypt into a conflict with its neighbor.

In recent developments, Egypt had indicated its willingness to admit additional Palestinian patients to its hospitals. Reports surfaced that Egypt was considering accommodating up to 7,000 Palestinian wounded individuals. This evacuation process required intricate coordination involving Israel and Hamas, with mediation from Qatar. However, it faced delays when Hamas attempted to include its members on the list of evacuees, a move that ultimately failed.

🚨#BREAKING: Egypt VEHEMENTLY REJECTS any notion of moving 2 million Palestinians from Gaza in to the Sinai Peninsula, NO MATTER the cost. Any discussions of wiping Egypt’s debt can be wiped off the table 🇪🇬🇵🇸

Mohamed Rabie, Commander of the Second Field Army of Egypt's army,… pic.twitter.com/BTtxvqOg4X

— edrTeddy 🧸 (@edrTeddy) November 4, 2023

The report also featured more hawkish statements from members of the Israeli coalition. MK Ariel Kellner of the Likud party called for a response to a recent Hamas terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis and resulted in approximately 240 being taken hostage in Gaza. It is important to note that Kellner made this call merely a day after the tragic event, when the full extent of the horrors was just being revealed, sparking intense outrage in Israel.