Egypt shuts down reports the Sinai will be given to Palestinians

The Egyptian presidential spokesperson has categorically denied Israeli reports that Egypt is proposing to give up part of the Sinai Peninsula so that Palestinians can set up an independent state.

Spokesman Alaa Youssef released a statement stating that issues reported by the Israelis have not been discussed or presented “on any level.”

“It’s unimaginable to get into such unrealistic and unacceptable proposals especially in Sinai, which is a dear part of the nation,” Youssef explained at the end of a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in Cairo and top commanders of the Egyptian army and police.

Reports of Egyptians proposing a Palestinian state in the Sinai were first provoked by Israeli minister Ayoub Kara on his Twitter account. The Israeli press then published Kara’s remarks, causing an outcry in Egypt.

The Sinai is currently straining Egypt’s security situation due to a Daesh affiliate group operating in the area by launching attacks on Egyptian army barracks and personnel as well as firing rockets towards Israel.