{{pp-extended|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox bilateral relations|Egypt-Palestine|Egypt|Palestine}} '''Egypt–Palestine relations''' are the bilateral relations between the [[Egypt|Arab Republic of Egypt]] and the [[Palestine|State of Palestine]]. [[President of Egypt|Egyptian President]] [[Gamal Abdel Nasser]] was a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and he favored [[self-determination]] for the Palestinians. Although the Egyptian government has maintained a good relationship with [[Israel]] since the [[Camp David Accords]], most Egyptians strongly resent Israel, and disapprove of the close relationship between the [[Government of Israel|Israeli]] and [[Egyptian government]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dohainstitute.org/en/Lists/ACRPS-PDFDocumentLibrary/Arab-Opinion-Index-2019-2020-Inbreef-English-Version.pdf|title=The 2019-2020 Arab Opinion Index|publisher=Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies}}</ref>
==History== [[File:Nasser-Faisal-Arafat-1970.jpg|alt=|thumb|Nasser with Arafat (right) at the [[1970 Arab League summit|1970 emergency Arab League summit]], the day before the former died of a heart attack]]
=== Pre-20th century === The [[Hyksos]], an ancient Levantine group, [[Second Intermediate Period of Egypt|invaded Ancient Egypt]] and established their [[Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt|own dynasty in Egypt.]] Egypt would later expel the Hyksos and rule over Palestine during the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt]]. Egypt and Palestine would then be ruled by foreign kingdoms until [[Egyptian–Ottoman War (1831–1833)|Muhammad Ali Pasha's war]] against the [[Ottoman Empire]]. After the war, Egypt would rule over the Levant, including Palestine, but high taxes and conscription would lead to [[Peasants' revolt in Palestine|a revolt against Egyptian rule]]. Egypt would later retreat from the Levant following the [[Second Egyptian-Ottoman War|second Egyptian-Ottoman war]] and enter the [[History of Egypt under the British|British sphere of influence]], while the Ottomans retained control over Palestine.
=== Early 20th-century conflicts === During [[World War I|World War One]], Egypt sided with British and [[Sinai and Palestine campaign|fought the Ottoman Empire]] in [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] and Palestine. During the war, the [[Balfour Declaration]] declared British support for [[Zionism]], a political movement for establishing a [[Jewish state]] in Palestine. Zionism would come in to conflict with [[Palestinian nationalism]], beginning the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict|Israeli-Palestinian conflict]]. Egypt under the [[Muhammad Ali dynasty]] was supportive of the Palestinians in the conflict. The [[1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine|Palestinian Revolt]] in 1936 was supported by the Egyptian [[Islamism|Islamist]] political party, the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], with Muslim Brotherhood members aiding the [[Palestinian fedayeen|Palestinian Fedayeen]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Tammam |first=Hossam |title=The Muslim Brotherhood and Jihad |date=2015 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9780755624164.ch-009 |work=Twenty-First Century Jihad |publisher=I.B.Tauris |doi=10.5040/9780755624164.ch-009 |isbn=978-1-78076-916-5 |access-date=24 November 2022|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Egypt would also join the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War|Arab League invasion of Israel]] in 1948, capturing [[Gaza Strip|Gaza]]. While the [[West Bank]] was [[Jordanian annexation of the West Bank|annexed by Jordan]], Egypt instead created the [[All-Palestine Government|All-Palestine Protectorate]] in Gaza, which claimed authority over all of Palestine and was ruled by the [[All-Palestine Government]]. Egyptian authorities would keep close political control over Gaza.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shlaim |first=Avi |date=1 October 1990 |title=The Rise and Fall of the All-Palestine Government in Gaza |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2537321 |journal=Journal of Palestine Studies |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=37–53 |doi=10.2307/2537321 |jstor=2537321 |issn=0377-919X|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
=== Relations under Nasser and Sadat === After the [[Egyptian Revolution of 1952]], many Palestinians saw Nasser as the only real person who could defeat the [[Israelis]] and many of them had sympathized with him and supported him. Egypt would continue to support the Palestinians, and during the [[Suez Crisis]], Israel invaded Gaza and the Sinai. Israel's invasion would lead to the [[Khan Yunis massacre]], where the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli Defense Forces]] shot two hundred Palestinians in [[Khan Yunis]] and [[Rafah]], both located in Gaza. In 1959, the Gaza Strip was officially merged into the short lived [[United Arab Republic]], a political union between Egypt and [[Syria]]. In 1962 the UAR government established a [[Palestinian Legislative Council (Egyptian sponsored)|Palestinian Legislative Council]] to govern Gaza. During the January 1964 [[1964 Arab League summit (Cairo)|Arab League summit]] in [[Cairo]], the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] or PLO was established. It included various Palestinian factions and its first leader was [[Ahmad Shukeiri]], who was supported by Nasser.<ref name="Aburish 222-223">{{Harvnb|Aburish|2004|pp=222–223}}</ref> When the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] (PLO) was founded in 1964, Nasser proclaimed that it would hold authority over Gaza, but that power was never granted in practice. A year later, conscription was instituted for the [[Palestinian Liberation Army]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Feldman |first=Ilana |title=Governing Gaza : bureaucracy, authority, and the work of rule, 1917-1967 |date=July 2008 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-8913-2 |oclc=1227481126}}</ref>
But after Egypt was defeated in the [[Six-Day War]] in June 1967, Nasser began to call for peace with Israel.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} But his traditional allies ([[Syria]], [[Iraq]], [[Algeria]], and the PLO) opposed his recent moves and formed a "[[Rejectionist Front]]."<ref name="Aburish280">{{Harvnb|Aburish|2004|p=280}}</ref>
In January 1968, Nasser commenced the [[War of Attrition]] against Israel, ordering his forces to begin attacking Israeli positions east of the now-blockaded Suez Canal.<ref name="Aburish280"/> In the same month, he allowed the Soviets to construct naval facilities in [[Port Said]], [[Mersa Matruh]], and [[Alexandria]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Aburish|2004|p=292}}</ref> Then in March, the Palestinian political party [[Fatah]] under the leadership of [[Yasser Arafat]], faced off with Israel in Jordan in what became known as the [[Battle of Karameh]]. The Jordanian Army eventually backed Fatah fighters, forcing Israel to withdraw its troops without achieving its strategic goal—destruction of the Palestinian fedayeen base. The battle was thus seen as an Arab victory over Israel and Nasser immediately dispatched [[Mohamed Hassanein Heikal|Mohammed Hassanein Heikal]] to invite Arafat to Cairo.<ref name="Aburish281">{{Harvnb|Aburish|2004|p=281}}</ref> There, Nasser offered the Fatah movement arms and financial support, but advised Arafat to think of peace with Israel and establishing a Palestinian state comprising the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]];<ref name="Aburish288">{{Harvnb|Aburish|2004|pp=288–290}}</ref> Nasser was effectively ceding his leadership of the "Palestine issue" to Arafat.<ref name="Aburish281"/> Eventually [[Yasser Arafat]] was later elected President of the PLO. Nasser helped negotiate the [[Cairo Agreement (1969)|Cairo agreement]] between the PLO and Lebanese government in 1969.
Hours before dying, Nasser brokered a peace deal between the PLO and Jordan after [[Black September]] at the [[1970 Arab League summit]], which was held in Cairo, but after his death, his successor [[Anwar Sadat]] signed the [[Camp David Accords]]. This angered the Arab World and it led to the expulsion of Egypt from the Arab League until 1989. Arafat criticized the peace treaty, saying "Let them sign what they like. False peace will not last.".<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 1979 |title=1979: Israel and Egypt shake hands on peace deal |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/26/newsid_2806000/2806245.stm |access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>
=== Mubarak era (1981–2011) === After Sadat's assassination, [[Hosni Mubarak]] became [[president of Egypt]]. He pursued and began a policy of reconciliation with the Arab states while balancing Egypt's relationship with the US and [[Egypt–Israel relations|Israel]].<ref>[https://dra.american.edu/islandora/object/0809capstones%3A11/datastream/PDF/view Fillinger, Eric. (2022). Mubarak Matters: The Foreign Policy of Egypt Under Hosni Mubarak.]</ref> Arafat met Mubarak in Cairo in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cowell |first=Alan |date=23 December 1983 |title=ARAFAT EMBRACES MUBARAK IN CAIRO IN RECONCILIATION |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/23/world/arafat-embraces-mubarak-in-cairo-in-reconciliation.html |access-date=24 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Egypt was one of the first countries to support the [[Palestinian Declaration of Independence]] and officially recognized Palestine on 15 November 1988.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cowell |first=Alan |date=21 November 1988 |title=Egypt Recognizes State Declared by Palestinians |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/11/21/world/egypt-recognizes-state-declared-by-palestinians.html |access-date=24 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[File:Madeleine Albright, Hosni Mubarak, Ehud Barak, Yasser Arafat, and Abdullah II of Jordan in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt for the signing ceremony.jpg|thumb|250x250px|From left to right, [[Madeleine Albright]], Hosni Mubarak, [[Ehud Barak]], Yasser Arafat, and [[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah II]] of Jordan in [[Sharm El Sheikh|Sharm-El-Sheikh]], Egypt for the signing ceremony.]] Mubarak would have a large involvement in the [[Israeli–Palestinian peace process|Israeli-Palestinian peace process]]. In 1993, Mubarak hosted the Cairo Summit with both Israeli Prime Minister [[Yitzhak Rabin]] and Arafat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arafat, Rabin to meet in Cairo |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/10/05/Arafat-Rabin-to-meet-in-Cairo/1019749793600/ |access-date=24 November 2022 |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> The next year, Egypt hosted the [[Gaza–Jericho Agreement|Gaza-Jericho agreement]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hedges |first=Chris |date=5 May 1994 |title=MIDEAST ACCORD: THE OVERVIEW; RABIN AND ARAFAT SIGN ACCORD ENDING ISRAEL'S 27-YEAR HOLD ON JERICHO AND THE GAZA STRIP |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/05/05/world/mideast-accord-overview-rabin-arafat-sign-accord-ending-israel-s-27-year-hold.html |access-date=24 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 2001, Egypt hosted the [[Taba Summit]], which was one of the closest moments when peace could be achieved.<ref>{{Cite book |first=Jimmy |last=Carter |title=We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land |date=2010 |publisher=Simon & Schuster, Limited |isbn=978-1-84983-065-2 |oclc=1090987701}}</ref> In 2005, Egypt hosted the [[Sharm El Sheikh Summit of 2005|Sharm El Sheikh Summit]], a meeting between [[Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Ariel Sharon]], [[President of the Palestinian Authority]] [[Mahmoud Abbas]], [[Egyptian President]] Hosni Mubarak, and [[King Abdullah II]] of [[Jordan]] to mark the end of the [[Second Intifada]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Database |first=E. C. F. |title=Sharm el-Sheikh Conference (2005) |url=https://ecf.org.il/issues/issue/216 |access-date=29 November 2022 |website=ecf.org.il |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharm el-Sheikh summit, ceasefire - PA President Abbas statement |url=https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-197246/ |access-date=29 November 2022 |website=Question of Palestine |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 19 June 2008, the Egypt-brokered "lull" or [[2008 Israel–Hamas ceasefire|pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas]] went into effect.<ref name="kershner">{{cite news|title=Rockets hit Israel, breaking Hamas truce|publisher=International Herald Tribune|author=Isabel Kershner|date=25 June 2008|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/africa/25mideast.php}}</ref> The term "lull" is a translation of the [[Arabic]] term ''[[Tahdiya]]''.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-03-12-374518999_x.htm Hamas offering Israel truce, not peace]. ''USA Today''. Published 3 December 2008.</ref> The agreement required Hamas to end rocket attacks on Israel and to enforce the lull throughout Gaza. In exchange, Hamas expected the [[Blockade of the Gaza Strip|blockade]] to end, commerce in Gaza to resume, and truck shipments to be restored to 2005 levels, which was between 500 and 600 trucks per day.<ref name="nyt-truce">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?scp=2&sq=Ethan%20Bronner%20December%202008%20gaza&st=cse|title=Gaza Truce May Be Revived by Necessity |last=BRONNER|first=ETHAN |date=19 December 2008|work=New York Times|access-date=12 February 2009}}</ref><ref>[https://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2009/090115_Gaza.doc.htm UN] Press Conference on Gaza humanitarian situation</ref> Israel eased restrictions on the blockade to a reduction in rocket fire and gradually re-opened supply lines and permitted around 90 daily truck shipments to enter Gaza, up from around 70 per day.<ref name="bare">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7570605.stm BBC] Truce barely eases Gaza embargo. By Aleem Maqbool. [[BBC News]]. Published 19 August 2008.</ref> Hamas criticized Israel for its continued blockade<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/05/israelandthepalestinians Guardian] Gaza truce broken as Israeli raid kills six Hamas gunmen Rory McCarthy 5 November 2008</ref> while Israel accused Hamas of continued weapons smuggling via tunnels to Egypt and pointed to continued rocket attacks.<ref name="nyt-truce" />
During the 2008-2009 [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]], Egypt condemned the Israeli attacks, but Egypt's foreign minister, [[Ahmed Aboul Gheit]], said that Egypt has long warned Hamas that this would be Israel's response should Qassam fire continue.<ref name="ynet1">{{cite news|title=Egypt Lays Blame on Hamas|publisher=[[Ynetnews]]|url= http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3645195,00.html|author=Behnorin, Yitzhak|date=27 December 2008|access-date=27 December 2008}}</ref> As a result of many protests, Egypt opened up the [[Rafah Border Crossing]] to allow the wounded into Egyptian hospitals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://topnews.us/content/21577-arab-and-islamic-leaders-condemn-deadly-raids-gaza|title=Arab and Islamic leaders condemn deadly raids on Gaza|last=Sood|first=Manish|date=27 December 2008|publisher=Topnews|access-date=27 December 2008|archive-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718112834/http://topnews.us/content/21577-arab-and-islamic-leaders-condemn-deadly-raids-gaza|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Egyptian Ministry of Health sent 30 buses to North Sinai to help transport injured Palestinians.<ref name="palestine1">[http://english.pnn.ps/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4350 Palestine News Network] However, the Ministry of Health in Gaza said the injured were in too serious of condition to make the trip to the south as most of the first hits were in the north. Director of Emergency and Ambulance in the Gaza ministry, Dr. Muawiya Hassanein, said on Sunday that helicopter transfer was necessary.</ref> The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Hamas does not allow the wounded Gazans to cross the borders to Egypt.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4BR0QP20081228|title=Egypt: Hamas denying Gaza wounded treatment in Egypt|date=28 December 2008|publisher=Reuters|access-date=28 December 2008}}</ref> Egypt also deployed 500 [[Central Security Forces|CSF]] anti-riot police along the border.<ref name="AFPEgypt">{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gISje3ZtebFEs6q9IV02RT6CgfsA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231132350/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gISje3ZtebFEs6q9IV02RT6CgfsA|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2008|title=Egypt slams Israeli murder in Gaza, summons ambassador|date=27 December 2008|publisher=AFP|access-date=27 December 2008}}</ref> At the 6060th UN [[United Nations Security Council|Security Council]] meeting the Egyptian representative stated that the "crippling blockade imposed by Israel" is in "flagrant violation" of Israel's responsibilities under international law, international humanitarian law and its specific obligations as an "occupying power".<ref name="UN_council_6060">Libya calling the operation a "horrible massacre" - {{cite news|title=United Nations Security Council 6060th meeting (Click on the page S/PV.6060 record for transcript)|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scact2008.htm|date=31 December 2008|access-date=7 January 2009|agency=[[United Nations Security Council]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217092241/http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/resguide/scact2008.htm|archive-date=17 December 2008}}</ref>
After the [[2010 Gaza flotilla raid]], Egyptian President [[Hosni Mubarak]] denounced Israel's use of "excessive and unjustified force" while the Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to express its condemnation.<ref name="arableague">{{cite news|url=http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=OTE2NTM1NzIw|title=World shocked, outraged at raid|work=Kuwait Times|date=1 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617014202/http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=OTE2NTM1NzIw|archive-date=17 June 2011}}</ref> The Egyptian President also ordered the opening of the Egyptian border to Gaza on Tuesday to allow humanitarian and medical aid into the Gaza Strip.<ref>[http://www.english.rfi.fr/africa/20100601-egypt-opens-gaza-border-israel-kills-five-palestinians Egypt opens Gaza border, Israel kills five Palestinians], RFI English, 1 June 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Ashraf Sweilam|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD9G31JJG0|title=The Associated Press: Gazans cross border after Egypt lifts blockade|access-date=2 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605161929/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ioi_0jtO9RjMwPNRoXNCndRPRq3gD9G31JJG0 |archive-date=5 June 2010}}</ref> On 13 February 2011, Egyptian opposition leader [[Ayman Nour]] stated that "the Camp David Era was over" and he did not recognize Egypt's Peace Treaty with Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=208055|title=Egyptian envoy to US: Peace treaty with Israel will stand|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=13 February 2011}}</ref>
=== Post-Mubarak governments === As of 23 July 2012, Egypt allowed Palestinians to freely enter without visas.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120724044940/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/egypt-begins-allowing-palestinians-free-entry-into-country-1.452892?localLinksEnabled=false " Egypt begins allowing Palestinians free entry into country."] ''AP'', 23 July 2012.</ref> During the November 2012 [[Operation Pillar of Defense]], Egypt harshly criticized Israel's military operation. The Egyptian ambassador was recalled to Cairo and Israel's ambassador received an official protest. Egyptian President [[Mohamed Morsi]] stated that "The Israelis must realize that this aggression is unacceptable and would only lead to instability in the region". Demanding that the [[Arab League]] call an urgent meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss "criminal Israeli aggression" on Gaza, and sought an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harriet|first=Sherwood|title=Egyptian president condemns Israel's 'aggression' in Gaza|location=UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/15/egyptian-president-condemns-israel-gaza|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 November 2012|date=15 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Harriet|first=Sherwood|title=Mohamed Morsi's approach to Gaza air strikes falls short for many Egyptians |location=UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/15/mohamad-morsi-gaza-israel-egypt |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 November 2012 |date=15 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| location=[[Israel|IL]]|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4305587,00.html|title=Egypt recalls ambassador after Jabari hit|last=Kais|first=Roi|date=14 November 2012|work=[[Ynetnews]]|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref>
The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Egypt)|Foreign Ministry of Egypt]] berated the operation and called on Israel to halt its attacks. According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', the chairman of the [[Freedom and Justice Party (Egypt)|Freedom and Justice Party]], [[Saad El-Katatni]], said: "The Egyptian people revolted against injustice and will not accept an attack on Gaza. The brutal aggression on Gaza proves that Israel has not yet learned that Egypt has changed".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/nov/14/egypt-israeli-air-strikes-gaza-morsi|title=Egypt condemns Israeli air strikes in Gaza and demands ceasefire|newspaper=The Guardian|date=14 November 2012|place=UK|first=Peter|last=Beaumont}}</ref>
An Egyptian official reported that Egyptian hospitals are ready to receive wounded Palestinians and that the [[Rafah Border Crossing|Rafah Crossing]] will remain open.<ref>{{cite web|title=Egyptian hospitals prepare for Gaza victims|url=http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=537708|publisher=Ma'an|access-date=15 November 2012}}</ref> Egyptian Prime Minister [[Hesham Qandil]] visited Gaza on Friday, 16 November.<ref>{{cite web|title=Egyptian delegation to visit Gaza on Friday|url=http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/gaza/egyptian-delegation-expected-visit-gaza-friday|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=15 November 2012}}</ref>
On 17 November, the Arab Medical Union has sent a delegation of Egyptian doctors with aid across the Rafah border.<ref name=YoumEgypt>[http://www1.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=848910&SecID=97&IssueID=0 "Arab Doctors: We will recruit all of our resources to aid Gazans"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130105165323/http://www1.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=848910&SecID=97&IssueID=0 |date=5 January 2013 }} at [[Youm7]]17 November 2012</ref> On 19 November, a group of Egyptian civilians headed to Gaza to aid their Palestinian neighbors in their current tribulation.<ref name=YoutubeJazeeraEgyptCivilians>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W3qI1ygUY4 "الجزيرة مباشر مصر برفقة الوفد الشعبي المتضامن في غزة"] 19 November 2012</ref>
On 29 November 2012 Egypt followed through with its continuing criticism of Israel by voting to welcome Palestine as the newest member of the United Nations by voting in favor of [[United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19]]. That resolution made Palestine a non-member observer state just like the Vatican.<ref>[https://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/ga11317.doc.htm UN General Assembly Resolution 67/19]</ref>
During the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict]], the Egyptian Foreign Ministry published through its Facebook page a statement where it expressed its "deep concern" about the latest situation in the Gaza Strip and called for self-restraint as well as stopping the mutual violence.<ref name="EgyptMFA">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/MFAEgypt/posts/695217847216831|title=MFA|type=official Facebook page|publisher=Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref> A Hamas official stated that Egypt is attempting to mediate a truce between both sides and that Egyptian officials have contacted Hamas for that purpose.<ref name="Egyptre">{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-07-04/israel-reinforces-police-ahead-of-slain-palestinian-s-funeral|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140709211231/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-07-04/israel-reinforces-police-ahead-of-slain-palestinian-s-funeral|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2014|title=Palestinian Teen Buried as Egypt Seeks Hamas-Israel Cease-Fire|publisher=Bloomberg News}}</ref> Egyptian FM [[Sameh Shoukry]] made a remarks following a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart where he said it is important to address the crisis in a manner that protects the Palestinians and their interests.<ref name="Shoukry">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/140708/egypt-calls-self-restraint-amid-israeli-aggression-gaza|title=Egypt calls for self-restraint amid Israeli aggression on Gaza|work=The Global Post|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233715/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/140708/egypt-calls-self-restraint-amid-israeli-aggression-gaza |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}</ref>
On 11 July, the Foreign Ministry then criticized the IDF operation in Gaza as "oppressive policies of mass punishment. Egypt rejects the irresponsible Israeli escalation in the occupied Palestinian territory, which comes in the form of excessive and unnecessary use of military force leading to the death of innocent civilians." It also demanded Israel adopt self-restraint and to keep in mind that being an "occupation force", it has a legal and moral duty to protect civilian lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/182785|title=Egypt Slams 'Oppressive' IDF Operation|publisher=Arutz Sheva|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014|last=Yashar|first=Ari}}</ref> The Egyptian government urged world powers to intervene and stop the crisis when it stated that its ceasefire efforts have been met with "obstinacy and stubbornness".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/105973/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-urges-world-powers-to-help-end-Gaza-bloodshe.aspx|title=Egypt urges world powers to help end Gaza bloodshed |publisher=Al-Ahram|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> The same day, Egypt informed authorities in Gaza that it closed the Rafah Border Crossing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/07/11/rafah-border-crossing-closed-gaza-interior-ministry/|title=Rafah border crossing closed: Gaza Interior Ministry|work=Daily News Egypt|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713015230/http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/07/11/rafah-border-crossing-closed-gaza-interior-ministry/|archive-date=13 July 2014}}</ref> after re-opening it the previous day to receive injured Palestinians for medical treatment in Egyptian hospitals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/105887/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-opens-Rafah-border-crossing-to-receive-wound.aspx|title=Egypt opens Rafah border crossing to receive wounded Palestinians|publisher=Al-Ahram|date=10 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> This comes after Egyptian forces seized 20 Grad rockets being smuggled from Gaza to [[Sinai Peninsula|Sinai]] after clashing with [[Sinai insurgency|militants]] in [[Rafah, Egypt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/106003/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-forces-seize-rockets-being-smuggled-from-.aspx|title=Egyptian forces seize rockets being smuggled from Gaza to Sinai|work=Al-Ahram|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref> However, shortly after the closure, President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] ordered the [[Egyptian Armed Forces|Egyptian military]] to transport 500 tons of aid, which comprises food and medical supplies, to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A statement was also released by the military saying that Egypt is pursuing its efforts to "stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip" under the president's supervision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/106017/Egypt/Politics-/Egyptian-govt-to-send--tons-of-aid-to-Gaza.aspx|title=Egyptian govt to send 500 tons of aid to Gaza|work=Al-Ahram|date=11 July 2014|access-date=11 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/36975-140712-egypt-jordan-urge-world-to-intervene-in-gaza|title=Egypt, Jordan urge world to intervene in Gaza|publisher=i24news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=12 July 2014|access-date=13 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712083910/http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/36975-140712-egypt-jordan-urge-world-to-intervene-in-gaza|archive-date=12 July 2014}}</ref> [[File:Family photo of the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit (Daniel Torok).jpg|thumb|Egyptian President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]] and Palestinian President [[Mahmoud Abbas]] at the [[2025 Gaza peace summit|Gaza peace summit]] in [[Sharm El Sheikh]], Egypt, 13 October 2025]] During the [[Gaza war]] from 2023, Egypt has provided significant humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through the [[Rafah]] border crossing. On 1 November 2023, Egypt has also allowed some wounded Palestinians to enter Egypt for medical care. In the course of these events, Israel had suggested that Egypt should welcome more displaced Palestinians, but Egypt has refused to bear the burden of a mass exodus from Palestine to accommodate millions of Palestinians in their country. The Egyptian leadership had suggested that Palestinian refugees should be accommodated by Israel in the [[Negev]] instead. Egypt is already housing 9 million refugees from many other nations, and its economy would not be able to carry such a burden. Egypt’s President [[Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi]] has emphasised that the [[two state solution]] is paramount to solving the conflict in the long term.<ref>[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/syaffgaft "Israel pressures Egypt to take in Palestinian refugees"] (31 October 2023). ''Ynetnews.com.'' Accessed 1 November 2023.</ref><ref>[https://reliefweb.int/report/egypt/iom-egypt-estimates-current-number-international-migrants-living-egypt-9-million-people-originating-133-countries "IOM Egypt estimates the current number of international migrants living in Egypt to 9 million people originating from 133 countries"] (17 Aug 2022) ''reliefweb.int''. Accessed 1 November 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/12/egypt-says-israel-seeks-to-empty-gaza-rejects-corridors-for-civilians "Egypt says Israel seeks to empty Gaza, rejects corridors for civilians"] (12 Oct 2023). ''AlJazeera''. Accessed 1 November 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2023/10/25/al-sisi-reaffirms-two-state-solution-as-only-way-to-resolve-palestinian-issue/ "Al-Sisi reaffirms two-state solution as only way to resolve Palestinian issue"] (2023/10/25). ''dailynewsegypt.com''. Accessed 1 November 2023.</ref>
Egyptian President [[Abdel Fattah el-Sisi]], responding to Israel's ban on entering Gaza, stated that his primary responsibility is to protect the lives and security of Egyptian citizens. He affirmed that Egypt would not enter the war. This stance reflects Egypt's traditional role as a mediator in the Palestinian crisis, balancing political support for Gaza with a priority on its internal interests and national security.<ref>{{cite web | last= | first= | title= الرئيس السيسي: أنا مسؤول عن أمن وسلامة المصريين.. ولن أتخذ قرارا يضر الدولة | website=Elwatannews.com | date=26 September 2025 | url=https://www.elwatannews.com/news/details/8142680 | access-date=27 September 2025}}</ref>
==''De facto'' relations== In addition to official communication, several practical elements illustrate relations between Palestine and Egypt. One example is the [[Egypt–Gaza barrier]], a wall built by Egypt to prevent crossing of Palestinians. The unique point of crossing, at [[Rafah]], is often closed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1170896/rafah-crossing-closed-due-security-operation-sinai|title=Rafah Crossing Closed Due to Security Operation in Sinai|last=Al-awsat|first=Asharq|website=aawsat.com|language=UK|access-date=1 April 2018}}</ref>
Satellite images from February 2024 show the construction of a buffer zone on the Egyptian side of the border with Palestine.<ref>{{cite web | last=Murphy | first=Paul P. | title=Egypt is building a new walled buffer zone more than 2 miles wide on Gaza border, satellite images show | website=CNN | date=16 February 2024 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/16/middleeast/egypt-wall-buffer-zone-gaza-border-intl-hnk/index.html | access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last1=Westfall | first1=Sammy | last2=Vinall | first2=Frances | last3=Suliman | first3=Adela | last4=Dadouch | first4=Sarah | last5=Hendrix | first5=Steve | last6=Parker | first6=Claire | last7=Berger | first7=Miriam | last8=DeYoung | first8=Karen | last9=George | first9=Susannah | last10=Morris | first10=Loveday | last11=Piper | first11=Imogen | last12=Birnbaum | first12=Michael | last13=Mahfouz | first13=Heba Farouk | last14=Balousha | first14=Hazem | last15=Ables | first15=Kelsey | title=Egypt clearing land, building wall near Gaza border, satellite imagery shows | newspaper=Washington Post | date=15 February 2024 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/15/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/ | access-date=16 February 2024}}</ref> As of September 2025, there is no confirmation that a completed, fully operational buffer zone as depicted in the 2024 satellite images is in place.<!-- I (Lova Falk) did a good search and found nothing at all. Please correct me if I am wrong.-->
==See also== * [[Foreign relations of Egypt]] * [[Foreign relations of Palestine]] * [[Egypt and the Gaza war]] * [[2000 uprising in Egypt]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
===Works cited=== * {{cite book |last=Aburish |first=Said K. |author-link=Said Aburish |title=Nasser, the Last Arab |year=2004 |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |location=New York City |isbn=978-0-312-28683-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312286835 }}
==External links== *{{commons category-inline}}
{{Foreign relations of Egypt}} {{Foreign relations of Palestine}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Egypt-Palestine relations}} [[Category:Egypt–Palestine relations| ]] [[Category:Bilateral relations of Egypt|Palestine]] [[Category:Bilateral relations of Palestine]]