Dr. Shaul Arieli: Egypt returns to the Palestinian issue – and Israel should listen

A report by the Tamrur-Politography research group, led by Dr. Shaul Arieli, shows that in the third quarter of 2026, the Palestinian issue returned to the center of Egypt's agenda. Cairo demands implementation of the second phase of the Trump plan, reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, unification of Palestinian leadership, and a political horizon, while increasing criticism of Israeli policy in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

A report by the Tamrur-Politography research group, led by Dr. Shaul Arieli, shows that in the third quarter of 2026, the Palestinian issue returned to the center of Egypt's agenda. Cairo has refocused on Gaza and significantly expanded its engagement with the West Bank and Jerusalem. The report is based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of 369 sources and indicates a shift from emphasizing aid to demanding implementation of the second phase of Donald Trump's plan: mentions of the plan rose from 57 to 233, and mentions of reconstruction of the Strip from 37 to 102. Egypt demands expanding aid under UN auspices, bringing in portable structures, clearing rubble, and rehabilitating infrastructure, alongside the introduction of a technocrat committee, deployment of an international stabilization force, and Israeli withdrawal. In July, Cairo hosted an international conference for Jerusalem, and in August condemned the settlement project in E1. Egypt promotes joint condemnations and raises the issue in international forums. Alongside this, it works for Palestinian leadership unity and holds talks with Hamas on disarmament. President al-Sisi emphasized that true peace will only be achieved with the establishment of a Palestinian state. The report does not indicate the completion of these efforts.