Egypt is preparing camp close to its border with Gaza as a contingency for a potential departure of huge number of Palestinians from the enclave due to an Israel assault on Rafah, the border region where more than half of Gaza’s population is taking refuge, Reuters reported.
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| Maxar satellite imagery shows the construction of a wall near the Rafah border crossing into Egypt. Photo: Digital Globe/Getty Images via forbes.com |
Key facts according to forbes.com:
1. Citing four unnamed sources, Reuters reported Egypt is preparing a “desert area with some basic facilities” to shelter potential refugees as a “temporary and precautionary measure,” but is hopeful that ceasefire talks can prevent such an exodus.
2. The report noted that Egypt has officially denied making any such preparations, in line with the official public stance that it is vehemently opposed to the displacement of Palestinians out of Gaza.
3. The human rights group, the Sinai Foundation, has shared images of the purported camps, showing trucks and cranes in the area setting up a “high-security area” surrounded by concrete fences.
4. Egyptian authorities have yet to comment on the construction, and it is unclear if the fenced area will be used to accommodate the reported camp.
5. The satellite company Maxar Technologies has also captured satellite images of a wall being built near the Rafah border.
