Egypt Constructing Fortified Buffer Zone on Border Amid Fears of Rafah Invasion
Egypt is building a fortified buffer zone near its border with the Gaza Strip as fears mount of an imminent Israeli ground invasion of the southern city of Rafah, which could displace hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across the frontier, according to satellite images and media reports.
Footage from the site in the Sinai desert and satellite photos reveal the construction of an area on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, providing shelter to tens of thousands of Palestinians in case they manage to cross into Egypt. The compound, surrounded by concrete walls and far from any Egyptian settlements, is said to accommodate more than 100,000 people, according to Egyptian officials.
Recent videos and satellite images show the ongoing construction in eastern Sinai, where a plot of land is being cleared of debris to make way for the high-security area. Reports suggest that the gated area will be surrounded by 7-meter-high cement walls, as confirmed by the Sinai Foundation, an activist organization with a monitoring team in the region.
Hussain Kanchwala in Cairo
The UN’s high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, highlighted the potential disaster that would ensue if Palestinians were forced into Egypt’s Sinai in the event of an Israeli invasion of Rafah. He urged that assistance should be provided for Palestinians within Gaza, aligning with Egyptian authorities’ position on the matter.
Israel’s intention to seize control of the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt is causing tensions between the two countries, with Egypt warning that it could jeopardize the peace treaty signed between them four decades ago. Egypt further underlined its resistance to Israel through comparisons to the 1948 Nakba, expressing solidarity with the plight of displaced Palestinians at that time.
Despite the presence of 1.4 million Palestinians in Rafah, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times, Israel remains resolute in its plans to invade the city. UN and human rights groups have voiced grave concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for shelter, food, water, and medicine for the displaced Palestinians.
UNHCR and Possible Contingency Plans
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the army to plan the evacuation of over half of the Gaza Strip’s population, concentrated in Rafah. However, the absence of detailed steps for that evacuation has left Palestinians uncertain of their fate.
Possible destinations for displaced Palestinians could include areas north of Rafah, already cleared by the Israeli military, as suggested by Avi Dichter, Israel’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other officials. Nevertheless, the UN humanitarian aid chief, Martin Griffiths, dismissed the idea, emphasizing the illusion of a safe place for Gazans outside their territory.
Contemporary Challenges
World leaders such as the United States have spoken out against a potential Israeli ground invasion of Rafah, warning of its catastrophic consequences. In a statement, the US Department of State spokesperson reiterated President Joe Biden’s opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Recent reports reveal that Israel has pulled out of talks with Hamas due to the latter’s alleged “ludicrous demands.” Prime Minister Netanyahu remains steadfast in seeking “total victory,” considering Rafah the “last bastion” of Hamas.
The region of Khan Younis has been the epicenter of the recent intense conflict in the Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military targeting Hamas battalions in the area. This has prompted a large number of Palestinians to seek refuge in Nasser Hospital, the region’s largest medical facility, which has itself been under siege by Israeli forces.
Photograph and Casualties
A satellite image captures the construction and earth grading along the Egypt-Gaza border near Rafah, providing a visual representation of ongoing developments in the region. The casualties in the region are staggering, with thousands of Palestinians killed, injured, and missing as a result of Israeli attacks. The dire situation demands urgent attention.
