The Israeli plan, backed by the U.S., is clearly aimed to expel some portion of the Gaza population into Egypt. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said yesterday the U.S. is “actively discussing” with Israel and Egypt efforts to ensure safe passage from Gaza for civilians. “We support safe passage for civilians. Civilians are not to blame for what Hamas has done. They didn’t do anything wrong, and we continue to support safe passage.”
“We have no comment on this matter at the moment,” an official at the Israeli foreign ministry told Anadolu Agency when asked about the U.S. statements.
Egypt, however, is opposed to dumping Gaza refugees into the Sinai. An Egyptian security source told Reuters that Egypt rejected the idea of safe corridors for civilians, to protect “the right of Palestinians to hold on to their cause and their land.”
Both Egypt and the UN are proposing humanitarian corridors that would flow into Gaza instead of out of it. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Oct. 11 that crucial life-saving supplies, including fuel, food and water, must be allowed into Gaza. “We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now,” he told reporters, thanking Egypt “for its constructive engagement to facilitate humanitarian access through the Rafah crossing and to make the El Arish airport available for critical assistance.”
