Write : Khaled Bakdash
كتب : خالد بكداش – القاهرة
Journalist and writer Diaa Rashwan, the Chairman of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), held a press conference on Tuesday 31/10/2023 at the Rafah Border crossing to clarify Egypt’s position on the ongoing war in Gaza.
The conference was attended by representatives of foreign and Egyptian media to clarify the various dimensions of the Egyptian stance regarding the current situation in Gaza, as well as the region, according to the SIS statement.
Rashwan asserted that Egypt is committed to the international law and rejects the forced displacement of the Gaza residents to any place.
Rashwan quoted President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s affirmation during his contacts with world leaders that Egypt rejects the transfer of the Gazans to any area.
He added that President Sisi affirmed that what is happening in the Gaza Strip is an aggression rejected by Egypt and the international humanitarian law.
Rashwan said the developments in the Palestinian enclave exceeded the limits of the so-called self-defense.
He added that Egypt categorically rejects the displacement or deportation of any Palestinian to Egypt’s territories.
Rashwan was referring to Israeli and international reports on plans to force the Palestinian brethren to
flee to Egypt.
The most prominent statements of Diaa Rashwan, the Chairman of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS)
– Egypt clearly and strictly confirms that it will never accept the displacement of any Palestinian into Egyptian territory after what was published and broadcast about the plans of the Israeli side to forcibly displace Palestinians to Egypt under the threat of the weapon.
– The Egyptian position is based on a set of bases, the most prominent of which is Egypt’s refusal to accept the aggression taking place in the Gaza Strip, which is not accepted by international law, or international humanitarian law, which by all means exceeds the so-called right of legitimate self-defense.
– The right to self-defense cannot be extended to innocent civilians. So far, there have been more than 8,300 martyrs and more than 21,000 injured, in addition to 45% of the Gaza Strip’s housing being damaged, which was completely or partially demolished, in addition to the displacement of 1.4 million Palestinian civilians.
– Egypt calls for an immediate ceasefire to save innocent people and civilians, and says, according to the Israeli claim, that there are armed men and civilians in Gaza.
– International law does not recognize occupied territories except for civilians.
– Gaza is an occupied territory in accordance with international law.
– Everything that happens in Gaza does not happen against regular forces, but rather against resistance, which is recognized by international law and recognizes the right to legitimate defense.
Resistance is the right of all peoples.
– The resistance always wins and takes its time.
– Egypt calls for a ceasefire and the immediate and sustained opening of the crossings so that all types of aid can reach the Palestinian people.
– We call on all organizations, the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, and international organizations, including the World Health Organization and others, to support Palestine.”
– What is happening in Gaza is not against armed parties, but rather national resistance.
– We call on the international community and all relevant organizations to assume their responsibilities regarding what is happening in Gaza.
– We are ready to enter thousands of trucks daily through the Rafah crossing, but the Israeli side delays and postpones the entry of trucks and strictly prohibits fuel.
– 250 trucks of aid passed to the Rafah crossing.
