Egypt is constructing a border wall with Gaza in response to concerns about a potential surge of Palestinian refugees should Israel carry out its proposed ground offensive in the southern border city of Rafah.
Satellite imagery obtained this week depicts the installation of cranes, trucks, and precast concrete barriers along the Sheikh Zuweid-Rafah Road, covering the entire Egyptian-Rafah border.
Based on an engineer and a contractor involved in the project, they have been tasked by the Egyptian Army to erect a 16-foot wall spanning approximately three square miles. Work on the wall commenced on Wednesday.
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According to a statement posted on X by the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, the construction aims to establish a highly secure, enclosed area in close proximity to the borders with the Gaza Strip.
This initiative is designed to anticipate the potential influx of Palestinian refugees in the event of a large-scale displacement.
Proposed Refugee Camp: Capacity Exceeds 100,000
One of the sources cited by the Journal, the proposed camp has the capacity to accommodate over 100,000 refugees.
It will be encircled by concrete barriers and situated at a considerable distance from any Egyptian settlements.
However, officials prefer to restrict the camp’s capacity to around 50,000 to 60,000 individuals, citing ongoing concerns among Egyptian authorities regarding security risks associated with the potential influx of refugees.
The construction appears to be the most recent initiative by the Egyptian government to deter Palestinians from crossing the border.
A Gazan official in Rafah has approximated that there are over 100,000 displaced Palestinians residing in makeshift camps along the Egyptian border.
Additionally, Fatima Majdi Hamouda, a Palestinian woman, informed the Journal that should the bombing in Rafah escalate, “they will go directly to Sinai.”
To prevent their entry into the country, Egyptian officials have dedicated several weeks to enhancing their security presence along the border with Gaza.
This includes the deployment of additional troops and machinery, as well as reinforcing checkpoints with additional soldiers.
According to a witness interviewed by the news station, preparations are underway on the main road for the positioning of tanks and military equipment.
Furthermore, there have been warnings issued regarding the potentially significant repercussions of an Israeli military intervention in Rafah, which could jeopardize Egypt’s longstanding peace agreement with Israel.