We Are Ready to Restore the Gaza Strip with Egypt: Erdogan's First Visit to Cairo in 12 Years

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after a meeting with Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, announced at a joint press conference the readiness to restore the Gaza Strip with Cairo's support, according to EFE.

“In the medium term, we are ready to cooperate with Egypt to restore the Gaza Strip,” he said.

Moreover, Erdogan stated that “the population of the Gaza Strip should not be displaced” and supported Egypt's stance, which, in an effort to stop the flow of refugees to the Sinai Peninsula, has significantly reinforced the border with an enclave—establishing a five-kilometer buffer zone and erecting above-ground and underground concrete walls.

The Turkish leader criticized Israel's plans to attack the city of Rafah, located on the border with Egypt, and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “abandon the politics of massacres in Rafah.”

The President of Turkey also mentioned that his country has received nearly 700 Palestinian refugees who passed through Egypt, providing them with medical assistance, adding that he is “determined” to strengthen relations with Cairo at all levels.

El-Sisi thanked Turkey for sending humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. The Egyptian leader also called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip “so that the peace process can resume as soon as possible.”

This was Erdogan's first visit to Egypt in the last 12 years.