The United States has notified Egypt of its intention to reduce military aid due to differences over how to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, according to sources cited by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
The decision comes amid Egypt’s opposition to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries as part of a controversial plan dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The plan aims to develop new communities for Palestinians in Egypt and Jordan, a move widely criticized as forced displacement.
An Egyptian diplomat based in Washington told the newspaper that while the exact scale of the aid reduction has yet to be determined, it is expected to take effect next year. The report also notes that Trump had previously hinted at halting aid to Egypt and Jordan if they refused to accept Palestinian refugees under his proposed plan.
Instead, Egypt has put forward a $53 billion reconstruction proposal for Gaza that does not involve displacing its residents. This plan was adopted by the Arab League during an emergency session last week and has gained support from several European nations.
The U.S. currently provides $2.1 billion in annual aid to Egypt, with $1.3 billion allocated for military assistance and the remainder directed towards economic support, including funding for governmental and non-governmental organizations. Military aid includes weapons, aircraft, tanks, and training programs for Egyptian armed forces.
Trump’s proposal has drawn widespread international condemnation, with critics labeling it “ethnic cleansing,” which is considered a war crime under international law. The aid reduction signals growing tensions between Washington and Cairo over the handling of the Gaza crisis, as diplomatic rifts between Egypt and the U.S. continue to widen.
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