Egypt says Israel’s call for "voluntary" displacement of Palestinians "nonsense"

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on September 6 rejected Israel’s characterisation of Palestinian displacement as voluntary, calling it “nonsense.”

Speaking at a press conference in Cairo alongside UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRW) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, Abdelatty said Israel’s actions were forcing civilians from their land, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty receives UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini. They discussed steps to support UNRWA, the challenges of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and early recovery and reconstruction phase in Gaza. @UNLazzarini @UNRWA pic.twitter.com/FA6UAl6acL

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) September 6, 2025

“If there is a manmade famine [in Gaza], it is to push residents out of their land. It is nonsense to say that this is voluntary displacement,” he told reporters.

His remarks follow Israel’s urging of Gaza City residents to head south as its forces advanced into the territory’s largest urban area. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described leaving as a “basic human right” during wartime.

Egypt, which has hosted multiple rounds of negotiations, is advocating for a new ceasefire.

Abdelatty said he spoke on September 5 with US special envoy Steve Witkoff to intensify efforts to implement the latest proposal but accused Israel of blocking progress.

Hamas announced last month that it had accepted a 60-day truce plan, which included the release of half the hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a temporary suspension of Israeli military operations, and a framework to end the nearly two-year conflict. Netanyahu rejected the terms, insisting that negotiations continue only under conditions acceptable to Israel’s security needs and vowed operations would resume immediately after any temporary pause.

By Sabina Mammadli