Following the deadly weekend terror attack that left 31 Egyptian security forces in Sinai dead, an attack Egyptian officials’ link to Hamas, Egypt plans to set up a buffer zone between Gaza, an area that will be 1.5 to 3 kilometers in size. This will entail clearing the area entirely towards providing a clear area as a buffer between Gaza. Following the weekend fighting Egyptian officials also announced the closure of the Rafiach Crossing from Gaza to Egypt in the hope of curtailing weapons smuggling into Gaza.

Egyptian President General Abdel Fatah A-Sisi over the weekend told his people his country is engaged in an “extensive war,” one that will take a long time, adding he is taking drastic measures against those who seek to “break Egypt’s back”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)