Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II in Cairo on Sunday as the two leaders continued discussions on the situation in Gaza. This visit comes amid efforts to devise a strategy for rebuilding Gaza while ensuring that the region’s Palestinian population remains intact.
The two leaders discussed key issues, including the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, the ongoing ceasefire implementation in Gaza, the exchange of hostages and detainees, and facilitating access to humanitarian aid. These talks align with Egypt and Jordan’s shared vision to address the challenges posed by the destruction in Gaza following months of conflict.
The visit follows a high-profile meeting last week between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and U.S. President Donald Trump. During their meeting, Trump reiterated his stance on Gaza, stating that the region’s population, currently numbering over 2 million Palestinians, should not be allowed to return. The U.S. President further suggested the possibility of pressuring Egypt and Jordan to absorb these displaced Palestinians, threatening cuts to U.S. aid to both countries.
In response, Egypt has warned that such measures could undermine its peace treaty with Israel, which has been a cornerstone of U.S. influence in the Middle East for nearly five decades. Egypt has also voiced its concerns about the humanitarian and legal implications of forcibly displacing Palestinians.
In light of these developments, Egypt is preparing to host an Arab summit on February 27, where discussions will focus on a counterproposal to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents. Arab nations, along with Egypt, have emphasized that any plan for Gaza’s reconstruction must include a return to Palestinian governance and a pathway to statehood in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem – territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.
Israel, however, has ruled out the prospect of a Palestinian state and rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, after Hamas took control of the region in 2007. Human rights organizations have raised concerns that the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza could violate international law.
The growing diplomatic efforts by Egypt and Jordan come at a critical time as both countries push for a solution that respects Palestinian rights while navigating the complex political dynamics of the region.
