Sisi: The future Palestinian state could be demilitarized

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Friday that the future Palestinian state could be demilitarized with the presence of temporary international security forces to ensure security for it and for Israel, noting at the same time that the “two-state solution” has been “exhausted.”

Al-Sisi confirmed during a joint press conference in Cairo with the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, and the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, that “we said that we are ready for this country to be demilitarized, and also that there are guarantees of forces, whether these forces are from NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) or forces.” From the United Nations or Arab or American forces as you see fit, until we achieve security for both states, the nascent Palestinian state and the Israeli state.”

Al-Sisi added that the political solution that requires the establishment of a Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is still far-fetched.

The Egyptian President stressed that “reviving the path of the two-state solution is an exhausted idea and may not be what is required.”

He added, “It is necessary (to) move differently, which is to recognize the Palestinian state and include it in the United Nations… This gives seriousness.”

Arab countries have rejected proposals to send an Arab force to provide security in the Gaza Strip after the end of the current Israeli military operation there against Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007.

Sisi’s words came on the day a truce came into effect between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which will be accompanied by the release of hostages held by Hamas and other Palestinian factions in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons.

The truce was concluded through Qatari, Egyptian and American mediation after violent Israeli bombing campaigns since October 7.

On that day, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on the Hebrew state, killing 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to the Israeli authorities. Hamas and other Palestinian factions have been holding about 240 hostages in the Gaza Strip since the attack.

Since then, Israel has carried out a devastating bombardment on Gaza, killing 14,854 people, including more than 6,000 children, according to Hamas authorities.