Egypt Takes Precautionary Measures
Egypt is increasing its security presence at the border with the Gaza Strip due to concerns of a potential spillover of Israel’s conflict with Hamas. Security officials in Egypt have stated that the fortification by the border is a precautionary measure in anticipation of an Israeli ground assault on the city of Rafah, where a significant portion of Gaza’s population is seeking shelter. The Egyptian government has deployed additional troops and machinery in North Sinai, which borders Gaza.
Concerns about Israeli Actions
Egypt has already condemned Israel’s actions in pushing Palestinians southward in Gaza, suggesting that it is part of a plan to expel Gazans and signaling the potential end of the Palestinian cause. Now, as Israel prepares for a military operation in Rafah, Egypt is sounding alarms again. Satellite images reveal that Egypt is constructing a large buffer zone and wall along its border with southern Gaza.
Tensions in Israeli-Egyptian Relations
The military campaign in Gaza is straining the almost half-a-century-old ties between Egypt and Israel. While public criticism between the two nations is rare, Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesperson publicly lambasted recent comments made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Egypt was the first Arab nation to recognize Israel, and the countries signed a landmark peace treaty in 1979. However, recent events have strained their relationship, and there are concerns that Egypt may void the peace treaty if Israeli troops invade Rafah.
Potential Consequences
Suspending the peace treaty with Israel would have significant consequences for Egypt, including potential repercussions with the United States, which provides substantial financial and military aid to Egypt. Experts argue that Egypt suspending the treaty is unlikely as it would be “totally unrealistic.”
Concerns for Palestinian Refugees
The Israeli military campaign has resulted in an increasing number of Palestinians seeking refuge in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Over 1.3 million people are now living in a tent city in Rafah, facing shortages of food, water, and medicine. Israeli cabinet ministers have called for the resettlement of Gaza by Jews after the war, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will maintain full security control.
Potential Consequences for Egypt
Egypt is concerned about the possibility of millions of Palestinians pouring into the country, similar to the 2008 border crisis. In that crisis, hundreds of Gazans entered Egypt after the border wall was breached. Egypt has said that the targeting of the densely populated area of Rafah poses a danger to civilians. Egypt is also wary of any Israeli military operation crossing the Philadelphi Corridor, a buffer zone along the Egypt-Gaza border established as part of the peace treaty. Any military presence in this area without prior agreement from both countries would constitute a breach of the treaty.
The State of Relations
While tensions between Egypt and Israel have escalated recently, experts suggest that on the security and military level, ties between the two countries remain stable. There are ongoing security talks and coordination between the countries, even though they may not be publicly acknowledged.