As Israeli warplanes continue to bombard Gaza, causing the deaths of over 1,400 people and destroying buildings in response to an attack by Hamas, Israeli leaders have urged civilians to evacuate the area. However, the only viable exit is a border crossing into Egypt, which has remained closed. Egypt fears being dragged further into the crisis and opposes settling the Palestinian issue at its expense. Instead of allowing Gazans to cross the border, Egypt plans to facilitate a humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to Gaza, where Israel has cut off supplies. The United States is pushing for safe passage for civilians out of Gaza and is in talks with Israeli and Egyptian officials on the matter. Gaza, a densely packed strip of land, is under a 16-year blockade enforced by Egypt and Israel, and since the start of the conflict, nearly 340,000 people have fled their homes. Egypt has urged countries and aid groups to send shipments to the international airport at El Arish, but Israeli airstrikes have closed the border, and Israel has stipulated that no aid will be allowed until Hamas releases captives taken in the recent raids. Egypt’s delicate role in Gaza is in jeopardy as it risks becoming the de facto administrator of the area or having Sinai dubbed as an alternative country for Palestinians. Egypt, which has close ties with Israel and the U.S., is also wary of Hamas and has previously coordinated with Israel to monitor Gaza. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has tried to position himself as a peace broker and has negotiated cease-fires in the past, but tensions have arisen after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied receiving a specific warning from Egyptian officials before the recent attack. The situation in Gaza is worsening, as the blockade has caused the power plant to shut down, hospitals are struggling to maintain power, and the need for aid and medical treatment increases.
No Escape for Gaza as Death Toll Climbs from Israeli Strikes, Egypt Remains Uninvolved
