Security sources in Egypt have reported that Cairo has deployed around 40 tanks and armored personnel carriers to northeastern Sinai over the past two weeks. Israeli media outlets have indicated that the Israeli military has approved a military operation in Rafah.
Egyptian forces have been positioned in anticipation of Israel expanding its military operations to include the city of Rafah, located south of Gaza, where most of the sector’s residents have sought refuge, raising concerns in Egypt about the potential mass exodus of Palestinians from the area.
These Egyptian military movements are part of a series of measures to enhance security along its borders with the Gaza Strip.
In related developments, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper has reported that the Israeli army has greenlit a military operation in Rafah. The preparations for the operation in Rafah began weeks ago, with the army already approving a plan that includes the necessity of evacuating the displaced civilians.
The official Israeli Broadcasting Authority has stated that the military operation in Rafah will commence following the completion of a “broad-scale evacuation” of civilians from the city and its outskirts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously instructed the army to develop a dual plan to evacuate civilians from Rafah and eradicate the remaining brigades of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
Netanyahu emphasized that the war objectives in Gaza cannot be achieved while allowing four Hamas brigades to remain in Rafah.
International Concern
International concern is growing over the fate of hundreds of thousands of displaced Gaza residents who have sought refuge in Rafah since Israel threatened a ground invasion of the city bordering Egypt.
The United States stated yesterday that it will not support any Israeli military operation in Rafah without duly considering the plight of civilians. US President Joe Biden described Israel’s response to Hamas attacks on October 7 as “excessive.”
Since the outbreak of Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, Egypt has erected a concrete border wall with foundations 6 meters deep topped with barbed wire. The security sources noted that Egypt has also established sand barriers and enhanced surveillance at border deployment sites.
The Egyptian General Intelligence Authority last month detailed some measures Egypt has taken along its borders in response to Israeli insinuations that Hamas had obtained smuggled weapons from Egypt, indicating that three tiers of barriers make it impossible to smuggle anything above or below ground.
Satellite images captured in December and January showcased some new constructions along the 13-kilometer border near Rafah, with the wall extending to the sea on the northern edge of the border.
