As the specter of an Israeli assault on the southern Palestinian city of Rafah looms, questions arise about potential contingency plans for an influx of Palestinian refugees into Egypt. Egypt Refutes foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, denied the existence of such plans during a panel at the Munich Security Conference. Shoukry emphasized the need for friends to understand the complexities and dangers associated with the situation and called for support, not just in rhetoric, but with a clear indication of consequences for any form of displacement.
Reports of bulldozers, tanks, and walls being built on the border between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Rafah have fueled speculation about preparations for a potential influx of refugees. Shoukry dismissed these reports as hypothetical, stating that Egypt has been engaged in routine maintenance along its border. Israel’s military offensive, initially targeting the north of the Gaza Strip, has led to the displacement of over a million Palestinians. The focus now appears to be shifting to Rafah, with concerns about a potential humanitarian crisis and the displacement of civilians.
Egypt Refutes has consistently warned against the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians, emphasizing that while there is no intention to provide safe areas or facilities, Egypt would address the humanitarian needs of innocent civilians if such a situation were to occur. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant number of Palestinian casualties, with a recent interim ruling by the International Court of Justice ordering Israel to halt genocidal acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. The situation remains a matter of deep concern, with efforts to bring those responsible for crimes to justice ongoing.
