Invasion of Rafah could threaten key Isreal-Egypt peace treaty: Report

Egypt is threatening to tear up a key Israel-Egypt peace deal if Israel goes ahead with an invasion of Rafah, on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the Associated Press reported Sunday, citing  two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week ordered his military to prepare a plan to evacuate Rafah, having previously said preparations were underway to expand Israel’s ongoing offensive into the city. In preparation, Israeli forces have been ramping up their airstrikes and shelling in the area.

The Camp David Accords have been one of the foundations of peace between Israel and its neighbor since they were struck in the wake of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. Revoking them would spread further uncertainty in the volatile region.

Rafah has become a refuge for Palestinians fleeing the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, with more than half of Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip having fled toward the town.

Hamas reacted with fury to the planned invasion, telling the al-Aqsa TV channel that "any attack in Rafah will lead to the explosion of negotiations for a prisoner exchange," according to Haaretz.

Western leaders have decried the invasion plan, warning of the harm to civilians seeking refuge in the city, were Israeli forces to go ahead with the planned assault.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell all issued statements on Israel's plan calling it a "disaster" and warning of the "catastrophic consequences" for civilians.