(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Egypt has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating it will suspend the peace treaty signed between the two nations in 1979 if Israeli forces attack Rafah, forcing Palestinian residents to flee to the Sinai Peninsula.
This warning, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, raises the possibility of armed conflict between the neighboring countries, which have fought several wars in the past.
Egyptian military officials, as reported by Reuters, have said that Cairo has deployed approximately 40 tanks to the border area with Rafah as part of efforts to enhance security control in the border region.
In recent days, the Israeli military has ordered more than 1 million Palestinian refugees fleeing to Rafah from northern Gaza to immediately leave the area, as Tel Aviv plans to conduct military operations.
Hamas and several Arab governments have stated that the Israeli military operation against Rafah is likely to result in thousands more innocent Palestinian deaths.
The United States has also voiced its opposition to Israel’s proposed military operation in Rafah, stating that Tel Aviv’s action is wrong.
Rafah, located on the Gaza-Egypt border, is the last major Palestinian city not yet invaded by Israeli forces and has been a sanctuary from the country’s massive attacks for the past four months.
It has become a refuge for more than 1 million Palestinian residents fleeing from cities in northern Gaza after Israel began its ground operation several months ago.
Now, Rafah, serving as a shelter for Palestinian residents, is poised to be attacked by Israeli forces.
Observers in Egypt claim that Israel has a malicious agenda, using its military operation in the Gaza Peninsula to drive Palestinian residents into the desert areas of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
Egypt has strongly condemned Israel’s actions.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is reported to want to “empty” the Gaza Peninsula of Palestinian residents to allow for its reoccupation.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, senior Egyptian officials have warned Israel that any action causing Palestinian residents to flee to the Sinai Peninsula will lead to the suspension of the peace treaty between the two countries.
In addition to statements by Israeli officials wanting to “expel” Palestinian residents to the Sinai Peninsula, Tel Aviv has also expressed its intention to enter the 14km area along the border between the two countries, known as the “Philadelphi Corridor.”
Cairo has opposed any attempts by Israel to control the area along the border known as the “Philadelphi Corridor.” — DSA