Dozens of bulldozers, construction vehicles, and trucks carrying mobile homes lined up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing on Thursday. They are waiting to enter Gaza, according to state-linked Egyptian media.
Al Qahera News, a media outlet with close ties to Egyptian intelligence, reported that the equipment is positioned at the border. Authorities are preparing it for deployment into the war-torn Palestinian territory.
An AFP photographer at the site confirmed the presence of the vehicles. The lineup includes trucks loaded with caravans, all waiting at the crossing.
An official at the border told Egypt’s state news agency MENA that the equipment will enter Gaza “in the coming days.” It will assist in clearing rubble and repairing roads damaged by Israeli airstrikes over the past 15 months.
However, an Israeli government spokesperson stated that heavy machinery cannot enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing.
“There is no entry of caravans or heavy equipment into Gaza, and no coordination has been made for this,” Omer Dostri, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, posted on X.
He further emphasized that, under existing agreements, goods cannot enter Gaza through Rafah.
While the crossing remains open under a truce agreement, its primary function is the evacuation of the wounded and sick. Additionally, other humanitarian aid enters the territory through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Both nations have strongly opposed this move.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi condemned any displacement of Palestinians as an “injustice” that Egypt “cannot take part in.” Likewise, Jordan’s King Abdullah reaffirmed his country’s firm stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank.
Looking ahead, Egypt plans to host an Arab summit later this month. There, it will present a “comprehensive vision” for Gaza’s reconstruction, ensuring that Palestinians remain on their land.
As key US allies, Egypt and Jordan rely heavily on foreign aid. The United States remains one of their top donors.
