As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, Egypt has issued a stark warning to Israel, threatening to suspend its peace treaty should Israeli forces infiltrate the densely populated Gaza border town of Rafah. This threat comes in light of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that such military intervention is crucial for victory in the four-month-old war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Impact on Refugees and Aid Supplies
Rafah, the primary escape route for over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population fleeing from battles in other regions, is currently brimming with displaced individuals seeking refuge in sprawling tent camps and U.N.-run shelters near the border.
Egypt is seriously concerned about a potential mass exodus of Palestinian refugees who may never be allowed to return. Furthermore, the proposed offensive could lead to the closure of Rafah’s crossing, the main conduit for necessary food and medical supplies. This could exacerbate the already dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where the U.N. reports a quarter of the population faces starvation.
Israel’s Plan and International Reactions
Netanyahu, in a recent interview, suggested that civilians in Rafah could relocate northwards to areas cleared by the army, a proposal met with skepticism considering the widespread destruction caused by the offensive, particularly in northern Gaza.
Several countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have joined Egypt in warning Israel of severe repercussions if it proceeds with plans to invade Rafah. Echoing these sentiments, the European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stated, “An Israeli offensive on Rafah would lead to an unspeakable humanitarian catastrophe and grave tensions with Egypt.”
The Implications of a Breached Border
Egypt, having fortified its border with Gaza using a 5-kilometer buffer zone and concrete walls, fears that a breached border could result in an uncontrollable influx of refugees into the Sinai Peninsula. Currently, Rafah, which normally houses less than 300,000 people, has seen its population swell to 1.4 million, leading to severe overcrowding.
These events come in the wake of a war sparked by Hamas’ attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The death toll in the strip has since risen to 28,176, with most casualties being women and children. As the conflict continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a swift resolution.