Egypt says displacement of Palestinians unacceptable

(Patria) - Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Saturday that while his country would act humanely towards civilians, the displacement of Palestinians remains unacceptable.

"We do not intend to provide any safe zones or facilities, but if that is the case, we will necessarily address the humanity that is necessary," Shoukry told the Munich Security Conference.

Reuters reported on Friday that Egypt is preparing an area on the Gaza border that could receive Palestinians in the event that the Israeli offensive on Rafah causes an exodus across the border. Sources described this as an unforeseen move. Egypt has repeatedly denied making such preparations.

"This is very hypothetical. We have been constantly engaged in maintenance on our border, so I think conclusions are being drawn too quickly about what those activities represent," Shoukry said about construction activities around the border.

Separately, the governor of North Sinai said on Saturday that the armed forces are establishing a logistical zone for receiving aid for Gaza. The area being established includes parking spaces for trucks, warehouses, administrative offices, and accommodation for drivers, the governor said, Reuters reported.

Egypt has repeatedly raised the alarm about the possibility that an Israeli offensive on Gaza could drive Palestinians into Sinai, something Cairo says is completely unacceptable.