Egypt is reportedly establishing a zone along its border with the Gaza Strip, intended to accommodate Palestinians in the event of a mass exodus triggered by an Israeli military operation in Rafah, according to a recent report.
Three security sources disclosed to Reuters that Egypt has initiated the preparation of a desert area equipped with basic amenities as part of a contingency plan. One source revealed that the construction of a camp commenced at the beginning of this week, designed to provide temporary refuge for Palestinians "until a resolution is reached."
Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, Egypt has not permitted Palestinians to cross into its territory.
This report surfaced a day after US President Biden, in a telephonic conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "raised the situation in Rafah, and reiterated his view that a military operation should not proceed without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the civilians in Rafah," as per a White House statement.
The population of Rafah has surged from approximately 280,000 to nearly 1.7 million as numerous Palestinians sought refuge there following the commencement of the Israeli military's ground invasion in Gaza, as per United Nations estimates.
Netanyahu, in a post on X on Wednesday, asserted, "We will fight until complete victory, and this includes a powerful action also in Rafah after we allow the civilian population to leave the battle zones."
However, the head of Egypt's State Information Service dismissed the reports of a border camp construction to accommodate Palestinians as having "no basis in truth." Yet, Reuters reported on Monday that the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, an activist group, had released images purportedly showing construction vehicles and cranes operating in the area.
The group also quoted a source stating that the work was being executed to establish a secure zone for potential evacuees from the Gaza Strip, added Reuters.
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