On 9 March 1962, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser unequivocally affirmed that Gaza rightfully belonged to the Palestinian people, reinforcing his staunch opposition to Israeli occupation and Western imperialist interests in the region.
This declaration was emblematic of Nasser’s pan-Arabist vision, wherein he championed the cause of Palestinian self-determination amid the broader struggle against colonial influence in the Middle East.
At the time, Gaza was under Egyptian administration following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, yet Nasser’s proclamation underscored Egypt’s position that it was not a permanent custodian but rather a steward of Palestinian sovereignty.
His statement further solidified Egypt’s alignment with Palestinian nationalist movements, setting the stage for continued regional tensions and shaping the discourse of Arab solidarity in the decades to follow.
