Egypt Issues Warning of Peace Treaty Suspension Amidst Rising Tensions with Israel Over Rafah Incursion
Threats to Camp David Accords escalate as Israel contemplates a military move into densely populated Gaza border town
In a significant development, Egypt has issued a stern warning, threatening to suspend the long-standing peace treaty with Israel if Israeli troops are deployed to the densely populated Gaza border town of Rafah. This comes amid concerns that such a move could lead to the closure of the main aid supply route to the besieged territory, according to two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat.
The threat to suspend the Camp David Accords, which have been a cornerstone of regional stability for almost half a century, follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that sending troops into Rafah is crucial for achieving victory in the ongoing four-month war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population has sought refuge from the conflict, is now home to sprawling tent camps and U.N.-run shelters near the border. The potential mass influx of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees into Egypt raises concerns about their return.
The standoff between Israel and Egypt, both close U.S. allies, is unfolding against the backdrop of warnings from aid groups about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza. Approximately 80% of residents have fled their homes, and the U.N. reports that a quarter of the population faces the threat of starvation.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has voiced strong opposition to any invasion of Rafah, suggesting that it would jeopardize ongoing talks mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar aimed at achieving a cease-fire and the release of Israeli hostages.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, in an interview on ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” proposed that civilians in Rafah could flee north, stating that there are areas cleared by the army for relocation. However, concerns arise as the Israeli offensive has already caused widespread destruction in northern Gaza.
A ground operation in Rafah could further exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation by potentially cutting off a crucial avenue for delivering Gaza’s much-needed food and medical supplies.
All three officials confirming Egypt’s threats chose to speak on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Other countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have also warned of severe repercussions if Israel proceeds with an incursion into Rafah.
The White House, while providing military support to Israel, has cautioned against a ground operation in Rafah under current circumstances, describing it as a potential “disaster” for civilians.
The potential suspension of the Camp David Accords adds a new layer of complexity to the Israel-Egypt relationship, which was established through the landmark peace treaty brokered by then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s. The treaty includes provisions governing the deployment of forces on both sides of the border.
Egypt has fortified its border with Gaza, creating a 5-kilometer buffer zone and erecting concrete walls, refuting Israeli allegations of Hamas operating smuggling tunnels beneath the border.
Egyptian officials fear that a breach in the border could result in a significant influx of people into the Sinai Peninsula, overwhelming their ability to control the situation.
The United Nations reports that Rafah, originally home to fewer than 300,000 people, now hosts an additional 1.4 million who have fled fighting elsewhere, leading to severe overcrowding.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, expressing concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict and its devastating impact on civilians in the region.
Egypt Threatens To Suspend Key Peace Treaty If Israel Pushes Into Gaza Border Town, Officials Say https://t.co/DcDYNZTdQE
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