Egypt’s Construction of High Earthen Barriers: Sinai Foundation Reveals Exclusive Photos
Watan-Sina Foundation for Human Rights has obtained exclusive photos revealing the construction of earthen barriers by the Egyptian army east of the city of Rafah, extending along the Egyptian border with the Gaza Strip.
The non-governmental and independent human rights organization, dedicated to monitoring and documenting human rights situations on the Sinai Peninsula, has published an image of the tall earthen barriers, with buildings and communication towers visible behind them.
#عاجل حصلت مؤسسة سيناء على صورة خاصه تظهر انشاء قوات الجيش سواتر ترابية شرق مدينة رفح، وعلى طول الحدود المصرية مع قطاع غزة.#سيناء #رفح #غزة pic.twitter.com/7k2NMZXI9W
— Sinai for Human Rights (@Sinaifhr) December 4, 2023
High Earthen Barriers Along Sina Foundation” for Human Rights
The Egyptian military has constructed tall earthen barriers along the border with the Gaza Strip. As of now, the Egyptian Army or any of its official social media accounts have not released any statements or images regarding these barriers. However, the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights has obtained leaked photos of the barriers.
While the reason for the construction of these barriers remains unclear, it is noteworthy that Egyptian military vehicles have been known to tighten border protection measures, including the erection of tall earthen barriers and deployment of military units such as tanks, armored carriers, and special forces. This occurs at a time when the Gaza Strip is experiencing a harsh onslaught from Israel.
In a similar vein, the Israeli military also established earthen barriers near the northern borders of the Gaza Strip in June 2019, citing protection against anti-tank missiles that Palestinians from the Gaza Strip might launch.
In October of last year, engineering vehicles belonging to the Egyptian Armed Forces replaced the iron gate of the crossing with a high cement wall that completely obstructs visibility between the Egyptian and Palestinian sides. Access to the crossing was restricted for any type of vehicles operating on the crossing road.
Israeli airstrikes in October last year targeted the Gaza Strip after the Israeli army declared a comprehensive blockade on the territory, including the closure of all crossings and cutting off electricity, water, food, and energy supplies to the Strip.
On Monday, the Al-Qassam Brigades announced the destruction of 28 military vehicles “completely or partially on all combat axes” in the Gaza Strip. They targeted Israeli forces that had infiltrated with “anti-fortification shells and anti-personnel mines, engaging them at point-blank range.”
