Report: Egypt open to accepting 500,000 Gaza refugees into Sinai Peninsula

This potential change would represent a major policy shift for Sisi, who has consistently resisted calls to shelter refugees, despite Egypt being one of only two countries sharing a border with Gaza.

Egypt’s sudden openness to accepting Gaza refugees marks a dramatic shift from its previous stance, where the country had resisted international pressure to provide sanctuary. Diplomatic sources reveal that Israeli officials have long attempted to persuade international partners to exert pressure on Egypt, but their efforts have yielded little success. However, with the situation in Gaza growing increasingly dire, Egypt may now be reconsidering its position.

Earlier this month, Egypt presented an ambitious $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza at an Arab League summit. The proposal, positioned as an alternative to US President Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza, aims to rebuild the region through seven temporary housing zones designed to shelter up to 1.5 million Palestinians. The plan would include the establishment of an international committee to manage governance and humanitarian aid while the Palestinian Authority works to regain control of Gaza, a territory it lost to Hamas in 2007.

The reconstruction initiative has received endorsements from key Palestinian leaders, including President Mahmoud Abbas and, surprisingly, even Hamas. The latter issued a statement welcoming the proposal, expressing support for the establishment of a Palestinian committee for reconstruction. Additionally, there are indications that the Trump administration may be warming to Egypt’s plan, with reports suggesting the US sees potential in the proposal, particularly if Hamas is removed from power and Gaza is demilitarized.

This unexpected shift in Egyptian policy signals a new chapter in the region’s complex political landscape and may pave the way for a broader international effort to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.