from DPA, February 13, 2024

Egyptian Army Soldiers stand guard at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.  Egypt has reinforced its security presence along the border with Gaza, witnesses and a security source told dpa on Monday. Gehad Hamdy/dpa
Egyptian Army Soldiers stand guard at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Egypt has reinforced its security presence along the border with Gaza, witnesses and a security source told dpa on Monday. Gehad Hamdy/dpa

Egypt has reinforced its security presence along the border with Gaza, witnesses and a security source told dpa on Monday.

Security reinforcements and intensive security patrols were seen along the border, especially in the area of the Rafah crossing and the Kerem Shalom crossing, according to witnesses.

Security forces have been redeployed for reinforcement after Israel said on Friday that it would launch a military operation in the border city of Rafah, a security official told dpa.

The source also said maintenance operations are underway to increase the height of fences and reinforce barbed wire after damage from Israeli bombing of the crossing area.

Egyptian Military tanks are seen at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Egypt has reinforced its security presence along the border with Gaza, witnesses and a security source told dpa on Monday. Gehad Hamdy/dpa
Egyptian Military tanks are seen at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Egypt has reinforced its security presence along the border with Gaza, witnesses and a security source told dpa on Monday. Gehad Hamdy/dpa

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Meanwhile the cost of the war with Hamas and Hezbollah to Israel has been the subject of scrutiny. The Al Jazeera channel puts it at $US 58 billion to date. Standard & Poor’s credit rating for Israel stands at AA- with negative outlook, although that is still the highest rating for any country in the region.

Joe wants to give Israel another $US 14 billion, but by including another big donation to the Zelensky regime of Ukraine in the Bill to achieve that, it’s unlikely to pass through the Republican controlled House.