RAFAH, Gaza Strip. Egypt has issued a stern warning, indicating its readiness to suspend its peace treaty with Israel in response to any Israeli military intervention in the densely populated Gaza border town of Rafah. The potential suspension of the Camp David Accords, a foundational agreement for regional stability for nearly fifty years, has emerged as a significant development amid escalating tensions in the region, according to two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat on Sunday.
The threat from Egypt comes in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that deploying troops into Rafah is imperative to secure victory in the ongoing four-month-long conflict against the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.
Rafah, which has become a refuge for over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents fleeing violence in other parts of the territory, now faces the specter of further upheaval. The looming threat of a mass exodus, feared by Egypt, could exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis. The densely populated town, inundated with makeshift tent camps and United Nations-operated shelters near the border, is ill-equipped to handle a surge of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, raising concerns of an irreversible humanitarian catastrophe.
As aid organizations sound alarms over the potential consequences of an offensive in Rafah, emphasizing the catastrophic impact on the already fragile humanitarian situation in Gaza, the stakes are high for both Israel and Egypt. The United Nations has underscored the gravity of the situation, highlighting that approximately 80% of Gaza’s residents have been displaced from their homes, and a quarter of the population is facing starvation.
Meanwhile, Hamas has issued warnings through its Al-Aqsa television station, cautioning that any incursion into Rafah would derail ongoing mediation efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar aimed at brokering a ceasefire and securing the release of Israeli hostages.
In response to mounting concerns, Netanyahu, speaking on ABC News “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” suggested the possibility of civilian evacuation from Rafah to northern areas purportedly cleared by the Israeli military. However, such a maneuver would entail logistical challenges and may not adequately address the humanitarian crisis on the ground.
Despite Netanyahu’s assertions, heavy fighting persists in various parts of Gaza, including central areas and the southern city of Khan Younis. A ground operation in Rafah could potentially disrupt vital supply routes, further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
Alluding to the severity of the situation, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the prospect of an Israeli offensive on Rafah, warning of dire consequences for both humanitarian conditions and regional stability.
The escalating tensions underscore the fragility of the peace accords established by the Camp David agreement, which ended decades of hostilities between Egypt and Israel. The agreement, brokered by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s, has long been regarded as a cornerstone of stability in the region.
Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has fortified its frontier with extensive security measures, including a significant buffer zone and fortified barriers. However, concerns persist that a breach in the border could unleash a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions, potentially overwhelming Egyptian authorities’ capacity to respond effectively.
As the standoff between Israel and Egypt intensifies, both sides face critical decisions that could have far-reaching implications for regional security and stability. Amidst mounting international pressure and concerns over the worsening humanitarian situation, the fate of Rafah hangs in the balance, with the potential to reshape the dynamics of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
