Egyptian Ambassador: The departure of Palestinians from Gaza does not represent a solution to the Palestinian issue

(Patria) - Why doesn't Egypt accept Palestinians? That is not the right way to solve this issue.

We are witnessing the forced displacement of Palestinians, and that is what harms the Palestinian issue, said the Egyptian Ambassador to BiH Yasser Sorour tonight as a guest on the show BHT1 uživo.

- Imagine throughout history, when Palestinians were on their land, we could not, up to this moment, ensure their right to establish their independent state.

If the Palestinians leave their land, do you think we would then be able to achieve a solution that involves two states - Sorour asked.

The ambassador states that this question, which is often asked, must be put into the right context.

- We have clearly stated that we will not allow the destruction of the Palestinian issue at the expense of the Palestinian people and at the expense of Egyptians.

I will cite what (Palestinian) President Mahmoud Abbas said at the Peace Summit in Cairo: "We will not leave our state." And he repeated it three times.

This is a very dangerous issue and we must connect it with a very important element for our position.

- We are not saying that we refuse the violent expulsion of Palestinians, but, at the same time, we demand a complete ceasefire and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Therefore, these are very connected elements - he explains.

Regarding foreign nationals awaiting evacuation, Ambassador Sorour says that the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working with embassies in Cairo and relevant institutions in Egypt to facilitate the evacuation of over 7,000 foreigners from the war-torn area.

- I am sure they are also in contact with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to allow passage for some 50 Bosnians and Herzegovinians who are in Gaza - he added.

He adds that, considering the scale of destruction in Gaza and the number of innocent people killed so far, over 9,000, "it is something for which we cannot find an appropriate word or emotion".

- As Egypt, we always call on the international community to clearly call what is happening in Gaza by its real name. For us, this is not self-defense or the fight against terrorism, it is far beyond self-defense - the ambassador points out.

He emphasizes that attacks on hospitals full of patients are an unacceptable act and a blatant violation of international law.

Sorour also said, among other things, that Egypt has indications that Israel will allow the delivery of fuel necessary for the operation of hospitals in Gaza, but there is no official confirmation of this yet.