2024-02-12 14:56:27
(CNN)–Egypt has strengthened fortifications along its border with Gaza and deployed more troops and vehicles in North Sinai as a “precautionary measure” ahead of the expected Israeli ground operation in Rafah, Gaza, two security officials told CNN.
An eyewitness told CNN that the checkpoints leading to the Rafah border crossing on the Egyptian side were reinforced with more soldiers, and the areas surrounding the main road were prepared to deploy tanks and military vehicles.
A CNN team documented the presence of military vehicles parked along the road leading to the border in November, but it is unclear the extent of the new deployments.
Egyptian military helicopters have also been seen flying on the Egyptian side in the past three days, according to an eyewitness in Egypt, in addition to social media videos filmed from the Gaza side of the border.
Egypt warned, in a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, of “serious consequences” after statements by government officials about preparations to launch a military operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.
Egypt stressed “the necessity of uniting all international and regional efforts to prevent the targeting of the Palestinian city of Rafah, which now houses approximately 1.4 million Palestinians.” She said that targeting the city “represents an actual contribution to implementing the policy of displacing the Palestinian people and liquidating their cause.”
Many Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait, condemned the planned plans to attack Rafah.
US President Joe Biden said, according to the White House statement regarding his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Sunday evening, that the Israeli army should not move forward with the military operation in Rafah “without a reliable and implementable plan” to ensure the safety of civilians.
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