By Ebi Kesiena
In a rare display of mass protest, tens of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets on Monday, voicing strong support for Palestine amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza and criticism of US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza displacement plan.
The demonstration began outside Cairo’s Al-Siddiq Mosque, where protesters chanted in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza, waving Palestinian and Egyptian flags. The crowd also expressed support for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s proposal to rebuild Gaza.
Egypt has been lobbying against Trump’s proposal, which calls for displacing Gaza’s inhabitants to Egypt or Jordan. In contrast, Egypt’s Arab-backed plan emphasises phased reconstruction of Gaza while keeping residents in place, an approach rejected by the US and Israel.
In Cairo’s neighbourhoods, hundreds gathered after Eid al-Fitr prayers, chanting, “With our souls and blood, we will redeem you, Palestine.” Demonstrations also erupted in Tanta and the Sohag governorate, marking a rare instance of public dissent in a country where protests are often suppressed.
The protests are believed to be supported by groups aligned with the Egyptian government. Authorities have previously cracked down on demonstrations, including arrests during protests against Israel’s offensive in October 2023.
Egyptian officials argue that relocating Gaza’s population would undermine the Palestinian cause, while Jordan views the proposal as a threat to its stability.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in over 50,000 casualties, mostly civilians, leaving much of the enclave in ruins. A brief ceasefire mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US saw the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
