Egypt has significantly expanded its construction activities along its border with Gaza, erecting almost 2 miles of wall in the last week, in addition to clearing a substantial area next to the border. The development emerges amidst Israel’s warning that it is gearing up for a ground offensive in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. Egyptian authorities have stated that the expansion is intended for creating a “logistical hub” aimed at facilitating aid.
Despite speculations and reports suggesting the area might be prepared to house Palestinian refugees, Egypt has consistently denied such claims. Egypt’s stance has been partially influenced by its reluctance to be seen as facilitating the large-scale displacement of Palestinians, as well as due to economic and security concerns.
Egypt’s North Sinai province authorities have described the construction as part of efforts to establish a logistical area to streamline aid delivery to Gaza, including provisions for truck waiting areas, secure warehouses, administrative offices, and accommodations for drivers. However, some humanitarian experts and aid workers have expressed skepticism to the BBC.
The scale of the cleared area, capable of accommodating thousands of trucks, exceeds any known logistical requirement for aid delivery to Gaza. Egypt’s firm refusal to accept Palestinian refugees, reiterated by President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, underscores the country’s broader geopolitical and security concerns. These include fears that resettling Palestinians in Sinai could destabilize the region, potentially making it a new base for resistance operations against Israel and complicating Egypt’s recently stabilized security situation in North Sinai.
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