CAIRO, Egypt: Egypt has issued a stern warning to Israel regarding its ground operation in Rafah, expressing concerns over potential escalations and emphasizing the humanitarian risks involved.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel’s actions, particularly its takeover of the Rafah border crossing, which serves as a crucial lifeline for over a million Palestinians in Gaza. Egypt has urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation and to prioritize diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
The Egyptian parliament has echoed these sentiments, holding all concerned parties accountable for any actions leading to a dangerous escalation. Parliament Speaker Hanafy el-Gebaly emphasized the humanitarian consequences of Israeli operations in Rafah, urging the international community to pressure Israel towards a peaceful resolution and to prevent further loss of Palestinian lives.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army’s advancement in eastern Rafah and its establishment of operational control over the Rafah crossing have heightened tensions in the region. The heavy Israeli bombardment in Rafah has resulted in casualties among Palestinians, further exacerbating the situation.
Despite warnings from international actors and humanitarian organizations, Israel appears to be moving forward with plans for a major ground invasion in Rafah, raising concerns about potential humanitarian crises and mass displacement of Palestinians into Egypt’s Sinai region.
Egypt has previously stated its opposition to a ground invasion in Rafah, warning of potential consequences, including the suspension of its peace treaty with Israel. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has reiterated Egypt’s rejection of any attempts to relocate Gaza’s Palestinians to Sinai. The Egyptian army has reportedly deployed additional forces to northeastern Sinai in anticipation of further developments.
Amidst escalating tensions, Egypt is actively engaged in mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Delegations from Qatar, the United States, and Hamas are participating in talks hosted by Cairo, with Egypt intensifying efforts to contain the situation and prevent further deterioration of the conflict. However, Israel’s actions in Rafah pose a significant challenge to these mediation efforts, threatening to derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
