The Egyptian authorities have decided to raze the city of Rafah, in Sinai, in order to establish a buffer zone with the besieged Gaza Strip, North Sinai governor Abdel-Fattah Harhoor said in a press conference yesterday.
1,220
Homes are to be demolished in Rafah in the coming days
2,044
Families will be affected
“The establishment of a buffer zone requires the complete removal of the city and, in fact, it will be completely destroyed,” said Harhoor said.
He said that a new Rafah will be established, and until that happens, “each family whose home will be demolished will receive $210 as a down payment to rent a house”.
Cairo claims its buffer zone is intended to fight terrorism in Sinai and prevent cross border attacks on Israel.