Map reveals Emirati plan to build residential complex near 'Yellow Line' in Rafah

A new map revealed on Thursday an Emirati plan to build a residential complex for Palestinians near the 'Yellow Line' in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, specifically in areas that are still under the control of the Israeli occupation army since the ceasefire agreement last October. Informed sources reported that the UAE is preparing a plan to build a complex to house thousands of displaced Palestinians in the city of Rafah, which is under Israeli military control.

The sources confirmed that they had seen a map showing that the site where the 'Temporary Emirati Housing Complex' would be built would be near Rafah, which was once a city with a quarter of a million inhabitants, but is now almost completely destroyed and devoid of residents due to Israeli forces. The map shows that the Emirati housing will be located near the 'Yellow Line' agreed upon under the ceasefire agreement, from which the occupation army was supposed to withdraw in the second phase of the agreement, but this has not happened yet despite the American administration's announcement of moving to this phase.

The 'Yellow Line' separates the areas of deployment of the Israeli occupation army, which constitute about 53 percent of the eastern part of the Strip, and the areas where Palestinians are allowed to move freely to the west. The occupation reneges on its commitments in the agreement, both regarding the issue of withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and repeated violations by firing and shelling, which have resulted in hundreds of martyrs and wounded among Palestinians.

According to international sources, an Emirati official commented on what the map showed: 'Abu Dhabi remains committed to intensifying its humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza,' without confirming or denying the plan to build the temporary housing site. Diplomats questioned the political feasibility of the Emirati project, due to most Palestinians' refusal to reside in areas controlled by the occupation army, noting that the Emirati initiative resembles an American proposal to establish temporary housing for Palestinians in areas controlled by Tel Aviv.

An American official stated that the UAE is coordinating its housing initiative with Washington and the Peace Council, a new global entity established by President Donald Trump, and with the US-backed Palestinian National Committee tasked with administering the Gaza Strip. The official added: 'We are always impressed by the UAE's efforts to improve the lives of Gaza residents.'

In mid-January, the United States announced the entry into force of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip, despite Israeli demands to postpone it. The plan, which the occupation evades, includes reopening the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, and implementing an additional Israeli withdrawal within the Gaza Strip, to enable the launch of the reconstruction process, as well as disarming Hamas and Palestinian factions in the Strip.

Abu Dhabi remains committed to intensifying its humanitarian efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza.