Egypt Says No Exchange Of Palestinian Displacement For Nile Water Rights
Egypt Rejects Trump’s Proposal Linking Gaza Resettlement to Nile Water Rights
Cairo, Egypt – Egypt has reportedly rejected a proposal from President Donald Trump that would have linked the resettlement of Gazans in Rafah with assurances of Egypt’s water rights on the Nile River. The offer, which emerged last week, promised to resolve long-standing disputes between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) if Cairo agreed to host displaced Palestinians.
According to Egyptian diplomatic sources cited by The New Arab news agency, Trump had pledged to ensure Egypt’s water security, a critical concern since Ethiopia began constructing the GERD. In return, the proposal required Egypt to support an Israeli plan to confine millions of displaced Palestinians to a “concentration camp” near the Rafah border crossing.
Egyptian officials have vehemently rejected the proposition, viewing the plan as a stepping stone for Palestinians to cross the border into Egypt permanently. They also contend that the displacement of Gazans to Rafah would inevitably lead to direct conflict between Egypt and Israel.
The “Riviera” Plan and Regional Pressure
The New Arab further reported that President Donald Trump has been using the GERD dispute as leverage to pressure both Egypt and Jordan into accepting displaced Palestinians as part of his broader “Riviera” plan to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip. This ambitious scheme envisions transforming the area into a resort destination.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has repeatedly dismissed such proposals, emphasizing that the resettlement of Palestinians in Sinai is a “red line” for Egypt’s national security.
Deepening Regional Tensions
This latest development underscores the complex and often intertwined geopolitical challenges in the Middle East and North Africa. The GERD, a massive hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile, has been a source of significant tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan for years. Egypt, heavily reliant on the Nile for its fresh water, fears the dam will severely reduce its water supply. Ethiopia, on the other hand, views the dam as crucial for its economic development and electrification efforts.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the potential displacement of its population add another volatile layer to an already delicate regional balance. Egypt shares a border with Gaza and has long been wary of any scenario that could lead to a mass influx of Palestinians into its territory, particularly into the Sinai Peninsula. Such a move is seen by Cairo as undermining the Palestinian right of return and potentially destabilizing its own security.
Past Proposals and Future Implications
This isn’t the first time proposals for Palestinian resettlement have surfaced, nor is it the first instance of external powers attempting to link seemingly disparate regional issues. However, the explicit nature of Trump’s reported offer, directly tying vital water resources to a highly sensitive humanitarian and security concern, highlights the high stakes involved for all parties.
The rejection by Egypt signals its unwavering stance against any plan that would compromise its national security or alter the demographic landscape of its borders. The incident also serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader implications for regional stability.
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