US Supports Egypt’s Establishment of a Buffer Zone around Gaza

The Obama administration has reiterated its support for the Egyptian regime’s on-going war against terrorism, including the establishment of a controversial buffer zone on the border with Gaza, but at the same time also insisted that Egypt should take into consideration the displaced communities.

Speaking on this issue, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters at Thursday’s daily press briefing that: “We understand the threat that [Egypt is] facing from the Sinai. That’s why we have provided the Apache helicopters.”

She added, “We also continue to encourage them to take into account those that would be internally displaced by this, but they’re working through the plan and we’re continuing to support their efforts to take steps to defend their own borders.”

Earlier this week, Egyptian forces forcibly removed around 10,000 citizens living in Rafah near the border with Gaza and subsequently started demolishing their homes to set up a buffer zone, a move that the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner has called an abuse of human rights.

The Egyptian regime blames Palestinians in Gaza for the upsurge of violence in the Sinai; however, the regime has never provided any public evidence to back up its accusation.

Source: Middle East Monitor