Israel's potential Rafah invasion can only kill dozens of captives: Egypt’s SIS

CAIRO – 5 May 2024: Head of the State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan stated that if Israel were to invade the southern Gaza city of Rafah, it would fail to achieve its war objectives, including bringing back captives alive.

Speaking on the TV program "In Evening with Qaswaa" on Saturday, Rashwan expressed concerns that Israeli forces will potentially kill any captives that might be held in Rafah or cause their deaths.

"I am afraid that if Netanyahu enters Rafah, he may return with the bodies of 50 or 60 captives," Rashwan said. "No one will get out alive," he added.

He also dismissed the notion that the invasion will succeed in eliminating Hamas or that its leaders are stationed in the city.

"I don't think a child playing hide-and-seek would willingly position themselves where they know they will be found," Rashwan remarked. "The resistance's leadership is not waiting there."

Rashwan referred to the potential Israeli operation in Rafah as an absolute "loss," stating that the world will not tolerate further massacres and that all captives can be killed.

He questioned whether Netanyahu is willing to bear the consequences.

Furthermore, Rashwan underscored that the invasion will jeopardize the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, as confirmed by an anonymous Egyptian official.

"Israel engaged in wars with Egypt for 30 years, from 1948 to 1977, and then lived in peace with Egypt for 45 years," Rashwan said. "Will it sacrifice those 45 years or continue them?"

‘Another Nero’

Rashwan likened Netanyahu's actions to those of Nero, who was blamed for the great fire of Rome in 64 C.E., suggesting that a Rafah invasion will result in no gains and further destabilize the region.

Israeli officials have repeatedly expressed plans to invade Rafah, the last refuge for over 1.5 million Palestinians, comprising more than half of Gaza's population.

Unnamed Egyptian officials have warned that an invasion of Rafah, situated near the border with Egypt, can nullify the peace treaty.

However, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Egypt will respect the treaty as long Israel respects its, stating that mechanisms exist to address any breaches.

The international community has rejected Israeli invasion plans due to their potential humanitarian consequences.

Egypt has cautioned that a Rafah invasion is part of Israel's scheme to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt, considering it a "red line" for threatening Egyptian national security and eradicating the Palestinian cause.

Since October 7, the Israeli war has killed over 34,600 Palestinians and left more than 78,000 injured, according to Gaza's health ministry on Sunday.

These relentless attacks have also caused significant damage to Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, leading to the displacement of a majority of the population to Rafah.