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Original poster

Why won’t Egypt help the Gazans?

396 replies

antiterror · 13/10/2023 16:21

It seems the most if not the only logical solution, to set up refugee shelters in the Sinai peninsula?

OP posts:
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MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 13/10/2023 16:29

Who knows? Maybe Egypt are currently working on it?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 13/10/2023 16:30

Maybe they're aware that could attract the interest of the Israeli Defences?

TomeTome · 13/10/2023 16:31

Why don’t we?

Original poster
antiterror · 13/10/2023 16:34

’We?’

Egypt share a border with Gaza, they are the only country that does. I hoped someone familiar with the matter would have some insight.

OP posts:
MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 13/10/2023 16:36

TomeTome · 13/10/2023 16:31

Why don’t we?

What, set up refugee centres?

Parker231 · 13/10/2023 16:37

Is the rest of the world going to support Egypt if they offer safe haven to a million refugees? Where in Egypt has the infrastructure/finances - the rest of the world (including the uk) would need to fund this.

How are they going to get to Egypt - the roads south are being bombed by Israel and there is no fuel available.

CarpetLady · 13/10/2023 16:37

Egypt had always taken the same position on this- no refugees from Gaza, Israel must solve its own problems within its own borders- mainly for fear of being dragged into the conflict.

russetapple · 13/10/2023 16:39

Maybe they're afraid of terrorists infiltrating their country

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 13/10/2023 16:39

Presumably they don’t want to bring the wrath of IDF on their country?

Egyptian President earlier this week:

”there will be no compromise on Egypt’s national security under any circumstances, and the Egyptian people must be aware of the complexities of the situation and the magnitude of the threat.”

BlastedPimples · 13/10/2023 16:40

They don't want Hamas. Who would??

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 13/10/2023 16:41

They have enough unemployed young men of their own

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 13/10/2023 16:43

No country will help with this then

Sad times

SpringViolet · 13/10/2023 16:46

I read Egypt had blockaded Gaza, the same as Israel did, after Hamas got elected? Egypt doesn’t get accused of trapping Gazans in an open air prison though.

Hugosauras · 13/10/2023 16:46

Because terrorism has previously reeked havoc with their tourism industry.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 13/10/2023 16:49

If you remember the recent events in Cairo and Egypt, then it's understandable that they don't want anything destabilising.

Same with Jordan.

Tryingmybestadhd · 13/10/2023 16:57

Because like it or not , Gaza is well know for creating terrorists . Egypt already had civil unrest and terrorist attacks , they don’t want the possibility of more .

sunshinesupermum · 13/10/2023 16:57

According to an Egyptian friend, Egypt is full. Now where have I heard that before?
But seriously Egypt has problems with terrorists linked to ISIS in the country already and doesn't need Hamas infiltrating with the refugees. No idea where they can go or who will airlift them out

MatthewsMumFromTikTok · 13/10/2023 16:59

Well nobody will be welcoming Hamas infiltration

Airlift? Has that been suggested? Where to?

Noicant · 13/10/2023 17:03

Firstly refugees need a lot of taking care of, it costs resources. Secondly no-one wants hamas in their country really, the PLO has a not great history in the region, they got stuck in during the lebanese civil war, tried to assassinate the King of Jordan a few times and were accused of helping the Iraqis during the gulf war. Hamas are definitely worse than the PLO.

Most of it’s neighbours may not like Israel very much but they also don’t want a bunch of militants landing up on their doorstep that are going to cause a headache.

It’s deeply unfair on the Gazans who are suffering a great deal.

TrashedSofa · 13/10/2023 17:03

They never have. Now it's about Hamas, but that's not why they wouldn't from 48-67.

canwetalkaboutcake · 13/10/2023 17:08

Egypt is a poor country. They don't have benefits and a welfare state like we do, with money available to support refugees when they can't even look after their poorest citizens. Those in poverty will be relying on their local community and mosques for food and essentials.

They also have their own issues with terrorism, and unlikely to want to add to this.

Also Egypt has a cold peace with Israel, and taking the Gazans could cause unrest and problems with this down the road.

paperflowers55 · 13/10/2023 17:10

they don't have the resources to take in so many refugees at once, and there is a complex relationship between the two, they are not on the best of terms. Initially the first round of refugees were welcomed there, but later the culture minister, Yusuf Al-Sibai in early 1978 was assassinated at the hands of a militant Palestinian faction also played a decisive role in Egypt's new hostility towards its Palestinian refugees. Similar problems occurred when Jordan welcomed refugees. There seem to be a lot of factions or groups that break off and do harm.

I say rescue the women and children since they have nothing to do with this. Men always start wars and expect us to suffer.

natura · 13/10/2023 17:10

Who knows – but it could well be because Hamas = Iran, and that is a box of frogs nobody in the Middle East wants to open if they don't absolutely have to.

I've been staying away from the news recently, but I thought I read somewhere that a safe passage for Gazans / aid through Egypt was on the cards recently? Or did I get that wrong?

Original poster
antiterror · 13/10/2023 17:12

I didn’t even consider the economic implications, I thought maybe international aid would help fund it like they did in Turkey. But Turkey is comparatively much better off than Egypt to begin with.

OP posts:
BoohooWoohoo · 13/10/2023 17:15

Accepting refugees isn't only a financial burden but is going to be politically risky too.
There will be Hamas sympathisers amongst the people who would flee which increases Egypt's risk of a terror incident which would affect their tourism industry as well as safety of their citizens. Egypt won't want to end up having to pass on info about dangerous men to the Israeli intelligence services (hence US) and be a target for their neighbouring Arab countries too.
The world needs the US to take a lead in this as they are the ones with most influence over Israel but Biden needs to tread with care so that he's not giving Trump ammunition back home.