The deafening noise of Israeli bombings on the town of Rafah resonates with worrying intensity, while the imminent announcement of a ground offensive raises questions about the fate of Palestinian civilians. As the horizon darkens, Egypt finds itself faced with a heartbreaking dilemma: prepare an evacuation plan to deal with a potential influx of refugees or remain frozen in uncertainty.
Questioned during a conference at the Munich Security Conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry categorically denied the existence of such a plan. Despite persistent rumors of work to strengthen border infrastructure and an increased military presence on the border, Egypt maintains its firm position: no pre-established plan to welcome Palestinian refugees.
As the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip reaches critical levels, with an alarming number of civilian casualties, Egypt continues to advocate for the protection of the rights of populations affected by the conflict. The prospect of a forced evacuation of civilians from Rafah raises major concerns, both on a humanitarian level and on respect for international law.
Pending an official plan from the State of Israel for the evacuation of civilians from Rafah, the specter of an imminent humanitarian crisis looms over the region. As tensions escalate and calls for restraint multiply, the future remains uncertain for the residents of Rafah, trapped in a seemingly endless conflict.
Faced with this critical situation, there is an urgent need to find diplomatic and humanitarian solutions, to avoid a major humanitarian catastrophe. Egypt and the international community must act together to prevent an escalation of violence and ensure the protection of innocent civilians caught in the heart of this devastating conflict.