Egypt Daily News – Egypt has expressed strong opposition to Israel’s proposed plans to establish a so-called “humanitarian city” or “tent city” in Rafah, southern Gaza, a move that could significantly shift the humanitarian and security dynamics along the Egypt-Gaza border.
According to reports from Israeli Channel 13, Cairo has voiced clear objections to what it considers a dangerous military and demographic development near its north-eastern border. The planned relocation of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to a camp-like settlement in Rafah has been described as a “ticking human bomb” on Egypt’s doorstep.
The report further warned that if Egypt perceives the move as a threat to its national security, it may be prompted to reassess the long-standing peace treaty with Israel. While no official statement has been issued by Egyptian authorities, the tone of the media coverage and diplomatic activity suggests growing concern in Cairo over the implications of Israel’s military strategy in Gaza.
As part of its broader strategy, Israel reportedly plans to construct a temporary city made of tents to house displaced civilians from across Gaza. The initiative could result in hundreds of thousands of Palestinians being concentrated near the Egyptian border, an outcome Egypt fears could both destabilize the region and burden its own security infrastructure.
Egyptian Intelligence Chief Engages in Urgent Diplomatic Talks
In a parallel effort to ease tensions and advance ceasefire negotiations, Egypt’s General Intelligence Chief, Major General Hassan Rashad, held meetings earlier on Monday with key regional stakeholders. These included Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with delegations from both the Palestinian and Israeli negotiating teams.
Sources said that the talks aimed to break the current deadlock in negotiations and facilitate progress toward a ceasefire agreement. Egyptian mediation has been central to previous truces and is once again emerging as a critical player in efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
Regional Fallout Looms
As the situation on the ground continues to evolve, Egypt’s stance underscores the fragile balance between humanitarian concerns and national security interests. The proposed “tent city” project not only risks exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also threatens to strain Egypt-Israel relations at a critical geopolitical moment.
The developments come amid ongoing international pressure to end the war and address the growing displacement of Palestinians within Gaza, where conditions have been described by aid organizations as catastrophic.
