Construction equipment awaits entry into Gaza from Egypt amid truce, Israel denies approval

Egypt is set to host an Arab summit later this month, where it plans to present a “comprehensive vision” for Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land.

Dozens of bulldozers, construction vehicles, and trucks carrying mobile homes were stationed on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on Thursday, awaiting entry into Gaza, according to Egyptian state-affiliated media.

Al-Qahera News, which has close ties to Egyptian intelligence, reported that the equipment was positioned at the border in preparation for deployment into the war-torn Palestinian territory.

An AFP photographer on-site also confirmed the presence of vehicles, including trucks transporting caravans.

However, Israeli authorities have denied permitting the entry of heavy machinery into Gaza. Omer Dostri, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that no coordination had been made for such equipment to enter through Rafah. He emphasised that, under the current agreement, no goods are allowed to pass through this border crossing.

While the Rafah crossing has been used for medical evacuations under an ongoing truce, humanitarian aid is primarily being routed through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Speaking at the border, truck driver Ahmed Abdel Dayem expressed hope for a brighter future for Palestinians.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise over discussions regarding the potential displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, a proposal that has faced strong opposition. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has condemned such a move as an "injustice" that Egypt will not support. Similarly, Jordan’s King Abdullah reaffirmed his country’s firm stance against the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.

Egypt is set to host an Arab summit later this month, where it plans to present a “comprehensive vision” for Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land. As key US allies, both Egypt and Jordan receive significant foreign aid from Washington, adding further geopolitical weight to their positions on the conflict.

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