Egypt Denies Discussing Plans with Israel to Invade Rafah

The Egyptian Information Service has categorically denied reports that Cairo discussed plans with Israel to invade the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt's State Information Service, reiterated Egypt's opposition to any Israeli ground attack in Rafah, warning that it would lead to significant human casualties and widespread destruction.

According to Israeli media reports, top Israeli intelligence and military officials, including the head of the Shin Bet domestic security agency and the Army Chief of Staff, visited Cairo to discuss a planned ground offensive in Rafah. However, Rashwan stated, "Egypt has repeatedly warned Israel against carrying out any ground attack in Rafah, as it would lead to significant human casualties and widespread destruction."

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi also warned of 'catastrophic consequences' from any Israeli ground attack in Rafah during a phone call with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Sisi stressed Egypt's opposition to any Israeli ground offensive in the area.

Despite international warnings, the Israeli army insists on going ahead with attacking Rafah, the last remaining area in Gaza where Israel has not yet formally announced the entry of its troops. Israel has been waging a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since October 2022, resulting in the deaths of at least 34,262 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and the displacement of 85% of the enclave's population.

Why this matters: The potential Israeli invasion of Rafah threatens to further escalate the ongoing conflict in Gaza and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region. Egypt's firm opposition to the offensive highlights the international community's concerns over the devastating consequences such an attack would have on the Palestinian population.

Rashwan emphasized that any Israeli presence in the border area between Egypt and Israel, known as the (D) area, would constitute a breach of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. He warned that any such breach would be met with a decisive response from Cairo. Egypt has also threatened to suspend the peace treaty if Israel proceeds with the Rafah invasion, though the Egyptian Foreign Minister later affirmed Egypt's adherence to the deal as long as Israel respects it.

Key Takeaways

• Egypt denies discussing plans with Israel to invade Rafah in Gaza.
• Egypt warns Israel that a Rafah invasion would lead to high casualties.
• Egypt's President warns of 'catastrophic consequences' from an Israeli attack.
• Israel insists on attacking Rafah despite international warnings.
• Egypt threatens to suspend the 1979 peace treaty if Israel breaches it.