Egypt's Warning to Israel: Potential Consequences of Rafah Operation in Gaza
Amid tensions, Egypt signals possible strain in relations with Israel over military activities in Rafah, located on the Gaza-Egypt border. An official source suggests repercussions if Israel continues with the operation, as reported by CNN.
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According to an Egyptian official speaking to CNN, Egypt may think about reducing its ties with Israel if Israel continues its military action in Rafah, a city in Gaza located on the border with Egypt.
The official reassured that everything is being considered, even the possibility of downgrading relations with Israel. However, at the moment, they are still in discussion and trying to find common ground.
Regarding the coordination for the Rafah operation, the official mentioned that there were some difficulties. Egypt has openly expressed its opposition to the operation, which led to a warning being issued to Israel about potential negative consequences.
CNN has reached out to the Israeli foreign ministry for comment.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Egypt was considering downgrading ties with Israel.
Displaced Palestinians, who left their homes because of Israeli attacks, are coming together for shelter at the border with Egypt in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. This photo was taken on January 7, 2024 by REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa. 
Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters
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Egypt is currently facing tensions as Israel's military operation in Rafah has pushed over a million Palestinians towards its border. Last week, Israel seized control of the Palestinian side of the border with Egypt, leading to a standoff between the two countries. Egypt has decided not to work with Israel on aid deliveries into Gaza, citing concerns about the safety of their trucks due to potential attacks by Palestinian militants targeting Israeli troops.
The closure of the Rafah crossing led to a blame game between the top diplomats of both countries as aid deliveries through the important land crossing came to a halt.
Before Israel's operation, Rafah served as the main entry point for almost a quarter of the relief supplies entering the Gaza Strip. However, the US State Department raised concerns on Tuesday, stating that only 50 humanitarian aid trucks managed to reach Gaza on Sunday, a significant drop from the hundreds that were able to pass through daily in the past weeks. The department emphasized that this number is far from sufficient to meet the needs of the people in Gaza.
Israel pointed fingers at Egypt for the closure of the crossing. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz mentioned in a statement that he had discussions with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. They talked about the importance of convincing Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing to ensure the continuous delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday.
Boys watch smoke billowing during Israeli strikes east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday.
AFP/Getty Images
Egypt's foreign minister, Sameh Shoukry, strongly criticized the Israeli minister's remarks, rejecting them as a "policy of distorting the facts." Shoukry emphasized Egypt's firm stance against distorting facts and avoiding responsibility, as alleged by the Israeli side. He condemned Katz's comments as "desperate attempts by Israel to blame Egypt for the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."
Shoukry pointed out that the crisis was caused by ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinians for over seven months.
Israel has made it clear that they will not allow Hamas to control the border crossing. According to an Egyptian official speaking to CNN, Egypt also opposes Hamas control but believes Israeli control is not the solution either.
The official stated that the crossing should be controlled by the Palestinians, suggesting that it could be managed by the Palestinian civil defense. They emphasized that the individuals in charge should not be affiliated with Hamas or Fatah.
Israeli troops are stationed at the Egyptian border.
Israeli military movements, including tanks and soldiers operating near Egypt, have raised tensions. This has led to outrage in Egyptian media, with allegations of violations of the 1979 peace treaty signed between the two countries. 
Senior U.S. officials have informed CNN that the Biden administration believes Israel has gathered sufficient troops near Rafah to proceed with a large-scale incursion. CNN's Senior White House Correspondent MJ Lee provides the report.
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Israeli officials believe that Israel has gathered sufficient troops to carry out a large-scale invasion into Rafah, according to U.S. assessments.
Israeli soldiers have entered a region that was designated as demilitarized in a treaty signed forty years ago. This area includes sections of the Philadelphi Corridor, which is a border zone where the Rafah crossing is located. The Israeli military recently released videos showing Israeli flags being raised on the Palestinian side of the border.
The Philadelphi Corridor is a stretch of land that is 14 kilometers long (about 8.7 miles) and 100 meters wide, located along the border between Gaza and Egypt. This corridor plays a crucial role in the 1979 treaty that brought an end to hostilities between Egypt and Israel, limiting the number of troops each side can have near the other's territory.
Any changes to the security presence in this area must be agreed upon by both parties. Over the years, adjustments to security agreements between Egypt and Israel have allowed Cairo to increase its security presence in the Sinai Peninsula, which shares a border with Israel.
Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip walk through a makeshift tent camp in Rafah on the border with Egypt, in Gaza on May 10.
Palestinians displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip walk through a makeshift tent camp in Rafah on the border with Egypt, in Gaza on May 10.
Israel has not revealed how many troops it has stationed in Rafah. However, based on the 1979 peace treaty, Israel is permitted to have up to four infantry battalions in Zone D, which includes the Philadelphi Corridor. This agreement was made before Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza in 2005.
These battalions can include a maximum of 180 armored personnel vehicles and a total of four thousand personnel. According to the treaty, tanks, artillery, and anti-aircraft missiles are prohibited, except for individual surface-to-air missiles.
It is not known how many troops Israel currently has in Rafah. When CNN inquired about the size of its military presence in the city and whether it was coordinated with the Egyptians, the IDF chose not to respond.
CNN’s Hamdi Alkhshali, Michael Conte, Michael Schwartz, Mostafa Salem, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Tim Lister Abeer Salman and Richard Roth contributed reporting.
Editor's P/S:
The escalating tensions between Egypt and Israel over Israel's military operation in Rafah are a cause for concern. The potential for a downgrade in diplomatic ties between the two countries highlights the severity of the situation and the challenges of resolving the ongoing conflict in the region. The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, with displaced Palestinians seeking refuge at the border, further underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful solution that respects the rights and well-being of all parties involved. It is imperative that all actors involved prioritize diplomacy and dialogue to prevent further escalation and work towards a just and sustainable resolution to the conflict.
The article also sheds light on the complex dynamics between Egypt and Israel, particularly in the context of the 1979 peace treaty. The treaty has been a cornerstone of maintaining stability in the region, but the recent military operations in Gaza have strained the relationship. The deployment of Israeli troops in the Philadelphi Corridor, a designated demilitarized zone, is a sensitive issue that could potentially trigger further tensions. It is essential that both Egypt and Israel adhere to the terms of the treaty and engage in transparent and constructive communication to address any concerns or disputes.
