High-ranking Egyptian sources have warned that Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and calls for the collective displacement of Palestinians are aimed at destroying the Palestinian issue.
The sources told Daily News Egypt that Cairo’s vision was far-sighted when it warned of the situation and its repercussions on the constants of the Palestinian issue.
They emphasized that calls for displacement are capable of emptying Gaza Strip of its inhabitants and undermining the Palestinian cause itself.
Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip two days after fighters from the Hamas group dozens of Palestinian militants infiltrated Israel from Gaza by land, sea and air. The surprise attack led to the killing at least 800 people and capturing of at least 100 captives.
Israel’s vaunted military and intelligence apparatus was caught completely off guard by Hamas, resulting in heavy battles in its streets for the first time in decades.
“We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza… No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video statement on Monday. He justified the move by describing Palestinians as “beastly people.”
The blockade has left more than 2 million people in Gaza without electricity, water, or fuel. The United Nations has condemned the decision, calling it a form of collective punishment.
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 3,000 injured in Israeli strikes targeting residential buildings and offices in the enclave, which is home to 2.3 million people.
Concerns about a ground invasion of Gaza are increasing following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that his country is “at war” in response to the worst attacks in decades.
The Egyptian sources’ warning is a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the current conflict. Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a form of collective punishment that is causing immense suffering to the Palestinian people. Calls for the displacement of Palestinians are even more dangerous, as they would have devastating consequences for the Palestinian cause.
