Faith Nyasuguta
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to depopulate the Gaza Strip, calling instead for international efforts to support Gaza’s reconstruction while safeguarding Palestinian rights.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Madrid on Wednesday, both leaders emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the importance of respecting international law. El-Sissi reiterated Egypt’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, stressing that any reconstruction efforts must not come at the cost of displacing the Palestinian population.
“The international community must back a reconstruction plan for Gaza without the forced transfer of its people,” el-Sissi stated. “The Palestinians have a right to remain on their land, land they have clung to for generations and will not relinquish.”
Sanchez echoed this sentiment, calling the idea of depopulating Gaza “immoral and contrary to international law and United Nations resolutions.” He warned that such a move could trigger further instability not only in the region but also on a global scale.
Trump’s controversial proposal has drawn widespread criticism from global leaders and human rights organizations, who argue that it violates international norms and undermines efforts toward a peaceful resolution. While the U.S. administration frames the idea as a security measure, critics say it disregards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.
Both Egypt and Spain reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution, seeing it as the only viable path to long-term peace. Sanchez highlighted that “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians and is part of the future Palestinian state,” and announced Spain’s intention to support Gaza’s reconstruction at the upcoming Arab League summit on March 4 in Cairo.
El-Sissi also urged the international community to help revive the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine, stressing the need for dialogue and adherence to international law to achieve a lasting solution.
Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has historically played a key role in mediating between Israel and Palestinian factions, while also managing humanitarian aid flows into the enclave. With growing regional tensions and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, el-Sissi’s call for global cooperation highlights Egypt’s continued push for stability in the region.
The leaders’ united stance highlights the global pushback against proposals that threaten the rights of Palestinians and reinforces efforts toward a peaceful and lawful resolution to the conflict.
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