Egypt Sets Up Camps for Fleeing Palestinians Amid Israeli Threats

Egypt is reportedly establishing camps near the Gaza border to accommodate potential Palestinian refugees fleeing from Rafah, amid concerns of an impending Israeli offensive. According to Reuters, Egypt is preparing a “desert area with some basic facilities” as a precautionary measure, while expressing hope that ongoing ceasefire talks will avert such a crisis.

While Egypt has officially denied making these preparations, the Sinai Foundation has shared images of trucks and cranes setting up a “high-security area” surrounded by concrete fences, suggesting otherwise. The New York Times has corroborated these images, reporting that contractors have been hired to build a 16-foot-high concrete wall around a five-square-kilometer patch of land near the border. Satellite images from Maxar Technologies also show construction of a wall near the Rafah border.

Egyptian authorities have not commented on the construction, leaving uncertainty about the purpose of the fenced area. The U.N.’s Palestinian Rights Committee estimates that 1.5 million Gazans are currently seeking refuge in Rafah, highlighting the urgency of the situation. U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths has warned of the potential consequences of an Israeli ground offensive into Rafah, calling it a “sort of Egyptian nightmare” that could lead to further displacement and instability.

The mass exodus to Rafah began amid intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas in northern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military to prepare for a ground offensive, citing the presence of Hamas battalions in Rafah as a barrier to achieving military goals. However, this plan has faced criticism from international quarters, including Washington, with officials warning of the catastrophic impact such an operation would have on civilians.

Despite these developments, Egypt remains committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict and has denied any intentions of displacing Palestinians from Gaza. The establishment of camps near the border is seen as a precautionary measure, with hopes pinned on diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of civilians in Rafah.