A file photo of the Rafah border crossing - W
CAIRO – 16 February 2024: Diaa Rashwan, Head of the State Information Service (SIS), has categorically denied reports that Egypt plans to establish units to shelter Palestinians at its Gaza border in the event of forced displacement caused by Israeli attacks.
In a statement, Rashwan reiterated Egypt’s “unequivocal and irreversible rejection of any forced or voluntary displacement of Palestinian brothers from the Gaza strip, particularly to Egyptian territories.”
He emphasized that such displacement would definitely liquidate the Palestinian cause and pose a threat to Egyptian sovereignty and national security.
“The Egyptian remarks and statements have deemed this [issue] a red line and have affirmed that Cairo possesses the means to address it immediately and effectively,” Rashwan stressed.
He stated that Egypt will not take any measures on its land that contradict its declared and clear position.
He further highlighted that certain parties falsely propagate these alleged measures to wrongly implicate Egypt in the crime of displacing Palestinians, which is advocated by some Israeli parties.
“This is a serious crime condemned by international humanitarian law, and Egypt will not be part to it,” Rashwan said.
He emphasized Egypt’s commitment to taking all necessary actions to prevent this crime.
Moreover, Rashwan commented on media reports about Egypt's construction of a border wall with Gaza, stating that Egypt has had a buffer zone and barriers in this region long before the current crisis.
He explained that these measures are taken by any country worldwide to safeguard its sovereignty and border security.
Threat of Rafah offensive
On Friday, Reuters quoted four unnamed sources claiming that Egypt is preparing an area at its border with Gaza to potentially accommodate Palestinians in the event of mass displacement.
Israel is planning an offensive in the city of Rafah, which falls on the Egypt-Gaza border and which is the last safe haven for Palestinians in the strip.
Egypt has voiced its full rejection of the planned Israeli operation, calling for uniting all international and regional efforts to prevent the attacks against the city.
Cairo has repeatedly voiced rejection of Israel’s “systematic policy” of attempting to displace the Palestinians outside their lands, including to Sinai.
Early this week, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry denied reports that Cairo is considering the suspension of its 1979 peace treaty with Israel in case the Rafah offensive is carried out.
Over the past 133 days, the Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed 28,775 people and injured 68,552, according to the health ministry in Gaza.
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