Egypt builds a wall on the border with the Gaza Strip in the face of a possible massive entry of Palestinians

In a bid to enhance security and protect themselves from potential threats, Egyptian authorities have commenced the construction of a massive concrete wall along the border with the Gaza Strip. This move comes as a precautionary measure in case a significant number of Gazans attempt to enter Egypt if Israel launches an offensive in Rafah. The Wall Street Journal reported on this development, citing Egyptian officials and security analysts as sources.

Satellite images obtained from Planet Labs PBC clearly show earth movements and construction activities in the Sinai region, covering an area of over 20 square kilometers. Speculations suggest that this area could potentially be utilized as a refuge for Palestinians seeking shelter from the Gaza Strip.

The wall itself stands at an impressive height of five meters, as evidenced by videos released by the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights, which actively documented the construction process.

According to Egyptian officials interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, this new walled camp, which will be located away from the Egyptian population, has the capacity to host more than 100,000 individuals. However, it has been noted that many tents have already been transported to the site but not yet set up.

This recent undertaking by Egypt is part of a series of actions aimed at bolstering security along its border with the Gaza Strip. In recent months, the country has deployed additional soldiers and armored vehicles to deter Palestinians from entering Egyptian territory.

The border between Rafah, the southernmost city of the Gaza Strip, and Egypt remains closed. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians continue to be confined in temporary camps, having fled from Israeli attacks.