Egypt denies 'buffer zone' claims
Egypt has reiterated its opposition to the displacement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and denied claims that it is creating a buffer zone on its border to house Palestinians.
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Diaa Rashwan, Chairman of Egypt's State Information Service, responded to claims circulating on social media in a written statement.
Rashwan stated, "Egypt categorically denies the reports circulating on social media regarding preparations to build units to house Palestinians in an area parallel to the border with Gaza."
Responding to claims that Egypt is building a wall on the Gaza border, Rashwan noted, "Egypt already had a buffer zone and walls on the border long before the current crisis. These are measures taken by every state in the world to protect its sovereignty and border security."
Reiterating Egypt's "anti-displacement" stance, which it has voiced since the war in Gaza began, Rashwan stated that efforts to displace Palestinians outside of Gaza, particularly into Egyptian territory, whether voluntarily or by force, constitute a direct threat to the liquidation of the Palestinian cause and to Egypt's national security and sovereignty.
"WHATEVER IS NECESSARY WILL BE DONE TO PREVENT THIS"
Emphasizing that displacement is a "crime" and a "red line" for Egypt, Rashwan stressed that it is impossible for his country to be complicit in this crime, and on the contrary, it will do whatever is necessary to prevent it.
The Reuters news agency reported yesterday, citing unnamed security sources, that Egypt had begun building an area on the Gaza border to house Palestinians in preparation for a potential mass exodus should Israel launch an attack on the city of Rafah.
A report by The Wall Street Journal on February 15 noted that Cairo was constructing a walled-in buffer zone covering 20 square kilometers near the Gaza border, capable of housing 100 thousand people.