An informed Egyptian source told The New Arab that Cairo is prepared to play an active and influential role in post-war arrangements for the Gaza Strip, as long as Israel complies with its obligations under the second phase of the US President Donald Trump's ceasefire agreement.
The source stressed that Cairo does not intend to become directly militarily involved or take hold of security matters in administering the Strip.
The source noted that Egypt's next-stage involvement could include continuing to train Palestinian police officers, alongside limited Egyptian participation in the proposed international peace or stabilisation force for the Strip.
However, Cairo's most prominent role would be in humanitarian, logistical and development sectors, particularly reconstruction, early recovery and the entry of necessities and materials needed to restore life in the war-battered coastal enclave.
Egyptian condition in Gaza
According to the source, Cairo views Israel's implementation of its commitments under the second phase as a key condition for greater Egyptian involvement in these arrangements.
Any expanded Egyptian role cannot substitute for the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the creation of conditions needed to begin a stable transitional phase inside the Strip.
The source stressed that the expected Egyptian involvement does not mean Cairo is prepared to assume responsibility for administering the Strip, militarily confront Palestinian factions or take on direct security responsibilities inside Gaza.
"The Egyptian vision is based on Palestinian administration of the Strip, while providing the support needed to ensure the success of the transitional arrangements," the source added.
The source said Egypt could play a supporting role in areas where it has expertise and practical tools, particularly training Palestinian police and facilitating the delivery of aid, relief supplies and reconstruction materials.
A report submitted by the Gaza-specific "Peace Council" to the UN Security Council last May confirmed that Egypt would be a key partner in training Palestinian police.
The report also said the international force would coordinate with Egypt and Israel.
According to the Egyptian source, Cairo does not rule out limited participation in the international peace or stabilisation force.
However, it does not want this participation to develop into a large-scale Egyptian military presence inside the Strip.
Arrangements in return for commitments
Egyptian participation in this context appears, according to the vision conveyed by the source, closer to a limited supporting role than assuming responsibility for the Strip's security.
This would allow Cairo to maintain the room for manoeuvre it enjoys as a mediator between the various parties.
However, the source said the most important Egyptian role in post-war arrangements would not be security-related.
Instead, it would focus on reconstruction and early recovery, as well as bringing necessities into Gaza.
The source said the key point for Cairo was not to enter post-war arrangements separately from Israel implementing its commitments.
Moreover, according to the source, Egypt is prepared to help ensure the transitional phase's success, but only after ensuring there is a clear path to implementing the commitments linked to the second phase—including an Israeli withdrawal from all of Gaza.
In this context, Raghda Ahmed Hassan, a former assistant foreign minister, told The New Arab that the second phase of the Gaza agreement requires Cairo to move from merely mediating between the parties to a more direct and influential role in post-war arrangements.
He said the nature of Egyptian interests linked to the security of the Gaza Strip and regional stability means Egypt has a direct stake in what happens inside the Strip.
He argued that Egypt's approach to Gaza is driven by two main factors: the first concerns Egyptian national security, while the second involves supporting the rights of the Palestinian people.
He noted that US President Donald Trump's ability to push Israel towards implementing the agreement would be a real test of how serious the US administration is about achieving a genuine settlement in the Middle East.
He said the success of these efforts could extend to other issues in the region, including the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the start of reconstruction, and the implementation of arrangements concerning southern Lebanon, as well as withdrawal from Syrian territory.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Hegazy, a former assistant foreign minister, told TNA that Cairo is already moving towards a more influential and direct role in arrangements for the second phase of the Gaza agreement.
Hegazy further argued that Egypt's role is no longer limited to mediation but extends to working to turn the agreed understandings and roadmap into practical steps on the ground, thereby consolidating the ceasefire and transitioning to post-war arrangements.
Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.