Egypt Threatens to Suspend Peace Treaty with Israel Over Potential Invasion of Gaza Border Town
The escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine has taken a new turn as Egypt threatens to suspend its peace treaty with Israel if Israeli troops are sent into the densely populated Gaza border town of Rafah. The potential invasion of Rafah has raised concerns about the closure of the territory’s main aid supply route, which could worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The threat to suspend the Camp David Accords, a cornerstone of regional stability for nearly a half-century, came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that sending troops into Rafah was necessary to win the four-month-old war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. However, Egypt fears that a mass influx of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees into Rafah may never be allowed to return, posing a significant challenge for the country.
The standoff between Israel and Egypt, both close allies of the United States, has raised alarm among aid groups who warn that an offensive in Rafah would exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Currently, around 80% of Gaza’s residents have been displaced from their homes, and the United Nations estimates that a quarter of the population is facing starvation.
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has also expressed its opposition to any invasion of Rafah. An unnamed Hamas official stated that such an invasion would “blow up” 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 suggested that civilians in Rafah could flee north, claiming that there are “plenty of areas” that have been cleared by the army. However, the offensive has already caused widespread destruction in northern Gaza, and heavy fighting is still ongoing in central Gaza and the southern city of Khan Younis. A ground operation in Rafah could further complicate the situation and potentially lead to the closure of the territory’s main crossing, cutting off vital food and medical supplies.
The threat made by Egypt to suspend the peace treaty with Israel has been confirmed by three officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the negotiations. Other countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have also warned of severe repercussions if Israel proceeds with the invasion of Rafah.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, expressed concern over the potential humanitarian catastrophe and the strain it would put on Egypt. The White House, which has been supporting Israel throughout the conflict, has also cautioned against a ground operation in Rafah under the current circumstances, deeming it a “disaster” for civilians.
The Camp David Accords, signed between Israel and Egypt in the late 1970s, have been instrumental in maintaining regional stability. Egypt has heavily fortified its border with Gaza, creating a buffer zone and implementing strict security measures to prevent smuggling tunnels. However, Egyptian officials fear that if the border is breached, they would be unable to control the influx of people fleeing into the Sinai Peninsula.
Rafah, which is normally home to less than 300,000 people, is now hosting an additional 1.4 million Palestinians who have fled fighting in other areas. The United Nations has described Rafah as “severely overcrowded,” further exacerbating the dire conditions faced by its residents.
The Palestinian death toll continues to rise as airstrikes by Israel target various areas, including Rafah. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that in the past 24 hours alone, 112 people have been killed across the territory, with 173 others wounded. Since the start of the war, the death toll in Gaza has reached 28,176. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, it states that most of those killed were women and children.
The war between Israel and Hamas began when Palestinian militants launched an attack into southern Israel on October 7. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Although over 100 hostages were released in November during a weeklong cease-fire, Hamas has refused to release any more hostages unless Israel ends its offensive and withdraws from the territory. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has firmly rejected these demands, vowing to fight until “total victory” and the return of all captives.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the potential invasion of Rafah threatening to escalate the conflict further. The international community, including Egypt, is closely monitoring the developments and urging restraint to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. As negotiations continue, the fate of Rafah hangs in the balance, with the lives of thousands of civilians at stake.
