Egypt threatens to suspend Camp David Accords over Israel’s incursion in Rafah

Cairo, 11 February, 2024 (TDF): Egypt has expressed grave concerns over Israel’s announcement of an ‘operation’ in Rafah, the last shelter of besieged Palestinians. Egypt has threatened to suspend Camp David Accords, its peace treaty with Israel, if it goes ahead with its operation into the densely populated area of Rafah.

Where is Rafah?

Rafah is an area inside Southern Gaza bordering Egypt. After the expansion of Israel’s offensive inside Gaza Strip, the civilian population was forced to flee further towards the border with Egypt. Currently, Rafah is populated by 2.3 million people living under dire conditions.

Egypt’s warning amid Netanyahu’s advocacy for ground offensive in Rafah

The warning by Egyptian officials of suspending the Camp David Accords came amid the statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu advocating for a ground offensive, allegedly, to combat Hamas.

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— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) February 11, 2024

Egypt fears border strain and influx of refugees in Sinai

The threat to suspend the Camp David Accords from Egypt came amid fear of a humanitarian crisis and the strain it could place on its border with Gaza. Over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million populations have sought refuge in Rafah to escape previous Israeli attacks, leading to overcrowded conditions in tent camps and UN-run shelters near the border.

Egyptian officials fear that if the border is breached, the military would not be able to stop a tide of people fleeing into the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt, having heavily fortified its border with Gaza, is concerned about a potential influx of Palestinian refugees who may never be able to return. The country has denied Israeli claims of Hamas operating smuggling tunnels beneath the border, emphasizing its full control over its side of the border.

UN’s highlight of severe overcrowding

The United Nations has highlighted the severe overcrowding in Rafah, which typically hosts about 300,000 people but now accommodates an additional 1.4 million individuals who fled conflict in other parts of Gaza, claiming that the border is “severely overcrowded.”