Washington , US- Cairo ,Egypt/ August 20, 2025

In a moment of high diplomatic tension, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has publicly and forcefully rejected a renewed proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump to resettle Palestinians from the war-torn Gaza Strip in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. The Egyptian leader, in a televised address, stated that such a move is a “red line” that would not only threaten Egypt’s national security but also undermine the very existence of a future Palestinian state.

The proposition from President Trump, which he has made previously, has been a point of friction between Washington and Cairo. The idea, often presented as a temporary solution to the humanitarian crisis, is seen by Egypt as a threat to its sovereignty and a pretext for the permanent displacement of the Palestinian people from their land.

Egypt’s Courageous Response

President el-Sisi’s response was framed in the context of Egypt’s historical support for the Palestinian cause and a staunch refusal to be coerced. “We will not, and can never, participate in such an injustice,” el-Sisi said, adding that any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians into Sinai would be met with firm opposition. The Egyptian government has consistently maintained that the only viable solution to the conflict is the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Egyptian president’s statements are a clear message that Egypt will not be pressured into making decisions that contradict its national interests and its long-standing position on the Palestinian issue. The rejection comes amid reports of U.S. pressure on Egypt, and el-Sisi’s response is widely seen as an act of diplomatic courage against a major global power.

The Looming Water Crisis

The issue of hosting a large population in the Sinai is also intricately linked to Egypt’s severe water security concerns. The Egyptian government argues that the arid Sinai Peninsula lacks the necessary water resources and infrastructure to sustain a new population of millions. The primary source of water in Egypt is the Nile River, and its flow is already a source of significant geopolitical tension with upstream nations.

 * Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam: The ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a central concern for Egypt’s water security. Ethiopia’s dam, now nearing inauguration, is expected to significantly reduce Egypt’s share of the Nile’s water, which provides over 90% of its freshwater needs.

 * A Non-Negotiable Issue: The Nile is a matter of national survival for Egypt. The government has repeatedly stated that any threat to its water supply is an existential one. The idea of adding a massive new population to the Sinai at a time when its primary water source is at risk is non-negotiable for Egypt.

The Egyptian government’s strong rejection of the proposal is a clear demonstration that it will not compromise on its national security, whether it involves the permanent displacement of Palestinians or the future of its most vital resource, the Nile River.