• Egypt is secretly building a fortified buffer zone along its Gaza border to prepare for potential displacement of Palestinians in case of an Israeli offensive into Rafah.
• Egypt’s preparations for a potential influx of refugees forces the nation to consider withdrawing from the historic Camp David Accords.
In a strategic move, Egypt is reportedly establishing a fortified buffer zone along its border with the Gaza Strip, anticipating the potential displacement of Palestinians in the event of an Israeli offensive into Rafah. Although Cairo officially denies such preparations, sources reveal the construction of a temporary camp in a desert area, equipped with basic facilities to shelter Palestinians.
The establishment of the border camp is seen as a precautionary step, ensuring temporary shelter for Palestinians crossing the frontier until a resolution is achieved. This news comes as Egypt threatens to withdraw from the historic Camp David Accords, a peace agreement brokered by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. The Camp David Accords established diplomatic ties between Egypt and Israel. However, Egypt constructing an 8-square-mile enclosure and notably refusing to accept refugees, indicate a significant departure from its former alignment.
Egypt’s concerns stem from the possibility of a large-scale migration into the Sinai region, echoing similar alarms raised by Arab states like Jordan. The United States has consistently opposed any displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing its commitment to a peaceful resolution. These claims fall on deaf ears though as the United States has, for the third time, voted against a ceasefire in the UN General Assembly.
Nevertheless, reports suggest that construction of the camp began recently, with images from the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights revealing construction trucks and cranes at the site. Egypt’s State Information Service denies these claims, emphasizing no preparation for such a scenario.
The heightened tensions stem from Israel’s announcement of an offensive targeting Hamas’s supposed stronghold in Rafah, where over 1.4 million Palestinians seek sanctuary. Israel plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah to other parts of the Gaza Strip, but concerns arise over the feasibility of such evacuations and the potential spillover into Egypt.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths warned against the illusion of a safe evacuation in Gaza and expressed concerns about Palestinians entering Egypt if a military operation occurs in Rafah, describing it as “a sort of Egyptian nightmare.”
Egypt frames its opposition to Palestinian displacement as part of the broader Arab rejection of a repeat of the historical “Nakba” in 1948. While Egypt asserts that the buffer zone construction is not linked to potential displacement, satellite images and eyewitness reports suggest otherwise.
The international community, including the United States, has urged Israel to ensure the safety of those sheltering in Rafah and cautioned against forced displacements. However, the ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza has strained relations between Egypt and Israel, threatening the continuity of agreements, according to Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
