Egypt Threatens Sinai Military Deployment Amid Gaza Displacement Concerns

Egypt's 'Red Line' on Gaza Displacement

Egypt has issued a stern warning, indicating it would deploy fighter jets and heavy weapons to the Sinai Peninsula if residents of Gaza are forcibly displaced towards its borders. This move is considered a direct threat to Egypt's national security, according to official statements. Cairo has consistently rejected any proposals for the mass relocation of Palestinians into Sinai, viewing such actions as destabilizing and a threat to its sovereignty.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has previously described the Israeli war in Gaza as 'systematic genocide' and affirmed that Egypt would not become a gateway for the displacement of Gaza's population. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has also declared the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza a 'red line' for Cairo, stating that Egypt 'will not accept it, will not participate in it, and will not allow it to happen.' This stance reflects Egypt's deep concern that a mass influx of refugees into Sinai would not only threaten its security and stability but also undermine any hope for a Palestinian state.

Military Preparedness and Strategic Importance of Sinai

Sources indicate that if Gaza residents are forced to move to Egypt's borders, the Egyptian army plans to double its forces on the border with Gaza within 72 hours and transfer heavy weapons and fighter jets to the Sinai Peninsula, including the demilitarized Zone 'C'. This includes the deployment of advanced air defense systems, such as the Chinese-made HQ-9B. The Sinai Peninsula holds immense strategic importance for Egypt, serving as a crucial buffer zone and a perpetual strategic concern due to its location between regional conflicts and domestic instability.

Egypt's military buildup in Sinai is not a recent development, having begun in 2014 as part of efforts to stabilize the region and prevent it from becoming a haven for militants. Following the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Egypt further fortified its border with a concrete wall reaching six meters underground, topped with barbed wire, and enhanced surveillance. An Egyptian military source stated that this increase in forces is intended to 'deter Israel' from implementing forced displacement.

Diplomatic Tensions and Humanitarian Directives

The situation has led to diplomatic tensions, with Israel reportedly expressing concerns to the United States about Egypt's military buildup in Sinai, alleging potential violations of the 1979 peace treaty between the two nations. Israeli officials have cited the construction of runways for fighter jets and underground sites, which they suspect could be for missile storage. However, Egypt has rejected Israeli claims of weapon smuggling to Hamas via its territory, calling such allegations 'illogical' given the level of coordination between Cairo and Jerusalem.

Despite the heightened military posture, Egyptian army commanders have received instructions to handle any exceptional incidents at the border with humanitarian considerations. These instructions include 'refraining from shooting at Palestinians approaching the border strip and dealing solely with humanitarian standards.' This approach underscores Egypt's complex position, balancing national security imperatives with humanitarian concerns for the displaced Palestinian population.