Egypt Extends Buffer Zone Along Gaza Strip

Cairo, MINA – The Egyptian authorities declared Friday evening intention to extend the buffer zone along the Gaza border to be covering 1500 meters.

North Sinai Governor Abdel Fattah Harhour affirmed the army’s decision to expand the buffer zone for additional 500 meters to reach 1500 meters along the Egypt-Gaza borders, PIC reported.

Buildings and facilities located in the area of the buffer zone have been completely surveyed in preparation for evacuation and demolition, he added.

The first and second phases of the plan have been completed, with each phase covering 500 meters, according to him.

The buffer zone is amongst the security measures taken by the Egyptian armed forces in 2014 in order to destroy smuggling tunnels connecting North Sinai with the Gaza Strip. The tunnels were used to smuggle “terrorists and weapons” into the restive Sinai Peninsula, according to Egyptian authorities.(R/R04/RS5)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)