Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi put forward a proposal on Friday suggesting the potential demilitarization of a future Palestinian state. He recommended that an international security presence oversee the state temporarily, ensuring security for both the state and Israel.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Cairo alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Sisi expressed a willingness to support the demilitarization of the proposed state. He proposed the deployment of troops from entities like NATO, the United Nations, Arab nations, or the United States until both Israel and the emerging Palestinian state achieve guaranteed security.
Sisi stressed the ongoing challenge of attaining a political resolution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem designated as the capital of the Palestinian state.
Regarding the security situation in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s military operation against the Palestinian group Hamas, Arab nations have rejected the notion of an Arab force overseeing security in the area. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi raised concerns that intervening in Gaza at this point could render the region uninhabitable due to the aftermath of Israel’s offensive.
Safadi highlighted the reluctance of Arab states to engage in Gaza, fearing potential repercussions that could label them as adversaries and hold them responsible for addressing the consequences of Israel’s actions.