Gaza (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) 28 January 2026
– Israeli authorities have outlined plans for a large organised camp at the
Rafah crossing equipped with facial recognition technology. Critics describe
the proposal as a continuation of genocide rather than genuine peace efforts.
The announcement coincides with ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel
and Hamas mediators.
Israeli defence officials detailed plans for establishing a
"big, organised camp" at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and
Egypt, featuring advanced facial recognition systems integrated into entry and
exit points. The proposal emerged from briefings by the Israel Defense Forces
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories unit, aimed at managing
Palestinian movement post-ceasefire. Analyst statements highlighted the camp's
design as suggesting Israeli control rather than humanitarian relief.
The camp would accommodate thousands of Palestinians
awaiting processing, with biometric scanners linked to Israeli security
databases containing over 2 million Gaza resident profiles. Temporary
structures include prefabricated shelters, water stations, and medical tents,
covering 50 hectares adjacent to the crossing. Construction contracts awarded
to Israeli firms totalled ₪150 million, with completion targeted for March
2026.
Camp Design and Technology Features
Facial recognition cameras positioned at 12 checkpoints
would scan entrants against watchlists of Hamas operatives and suspected
militants, achieving 99.7% accuracy per manufacturer specifications. Drones
equipped with thermal imaging patrol the perimeter, feeding data to an AI
command centre in Ashkelon. Solar-powered barriers and watchtowers ensure
24-hour surveillance.
Israeli Security Agency officials stated the system prevents
arms smuggling, citing 450 tunnel detections since October 2023. Camp capacity
reaches 20,000 residents, with daily throughput of 5,000 processed via mobile
apps for pre-registration. Food distribution uses RFID-tagged rations linked to
biometric IDs. Electricity comes from 50 generators donated by the UAE.
Egyptian authorities approved the layout during tripartite
talks in Cairo last week, though Cairo retains veto power over entries. Hamas
political bureau condemned the plan as "open-air prison" during Doha
consultations. UNRWA expressed concerns over data privacy for 1.9 million
registered refugees.
Analyst and Official Reactions
A security analyst described the camp as "cementing
Israeli control under humanitarian guise," noting facial recognition
enables permanent tracking databases. The statement aligned with reports from
the Jerusalem-based think tank monitoring Gaza reconstruction. Israeli Foreign
Ministry countered that biometrics saved 200 lives by identifying suicide
bombers since 2014.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the
camp forms part of Phase Two ceasefire terms, requiring Hamas disarmament
verification. Defence Minister Israel Katz allocated 500 IDF troops for
operations, rotating from Gaza envelope communities. Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas called the plan "digital occupation" in
Ramallah address.
Qatar-mediated talks stalled over camp sovereignty, with
Hamas demanding Egyptian oversight. US envoy Steve Witkoff shuttled proposals
incorporating World Food Programme logistics. European Union observers flagged
GDPR compliance issues for EU-funded tech components.
Ceasefire Negotiation Context
Truce discussions resumed 22 January in Doha, building on November 2025 60-day humanitarian pause extended thrice. Phase One exchanged 1,200 hostages for 5,000 Palestinian prisoners; Phase Two addresses Rafah as sole exit point post-war. Israel insists on camp control to prevent October 7-style infiltrations killing 1,200.
Hamas fired 15 rockets from Rafah 26 January, prompting
airstrikes killing 22 per Gaza Health Ministry. Egyptian intelligence reported
80% smuggling routes neutralised by facial scans during 2024 pilot. US-provided
$320 million Palantir software powers the recognition algorithms.
Netanyahu Knesset speech 25 January outlined "sterile
zone" requirements, including camp integration. Labour leader Yair Golan
supported tech measures but opposed indefinite military presence. Settler
council demanded permanent IDF bases adjacent to camp perimeter.
Humanitarian and Legal Concerns Raised
UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur labelled facial
recognition in camps "collective punishment apparatus" during Geneva
briefing. Amnesty International documented 97% accuracy claims unverified in
conflict zones, citing misidentifications of 1,200 Palestinians since 2021.
Médecins Sans Frontières warned of health crises in enclosed
50-hectare space housing 20,000, lacking sewage treatment. Israeli Civil
Administration pledged 500 cubic metres daily water supply and 10 mobile
clinics. Hamas media aired footage of simulated camp drills showing forced
biometric registration.
International Court of Justice provisional measures from
January 2024 ban population displacement; Israel argues camp constitutes
voluntary processing hub. Legal Centre for Freedom of Movement petitioned High
Court challenging database expansion to 5 million profiles.
Historical Precedent of Rafah Controls
Rafah crossing operated under 2005 Philadelphi Accord between Israel and Egypt, closing 70% of days since 2007 Hamas takeover. 2023 buffer zone expansion seized 1.2 square kilometres, unearthing 50 smuggling tunnels. Facial recognition trials during 2022 Gaza flare-up blocked 300 blacklisted individuals.
Egypt constructed 5-metre concrete wall in 2009, later
upgraded with seismic sensors. Israeli drone fleet logged 12,000 hours over
crossing since October 2023. Post-ceasefire, camp replaces tent cities
sheltering 1.4 million Rafah evacuees ordered northwards.
Previous EU BAM Rafah mission monitored 2005-2007, logging
200,000 crossings before Hamas violence suspension. Current plan revives joint
Israel-Egypt patrols with biometric handovers.
Construction Timeline and Funding
Tenders closed 15 January with Israeli Defence Ministry awarding Netopya Group ₪87 million for scanning infrastructure. Jordanian firm provides tents; UAE funds desalination plant yielding 2,000 cubic metres daily. Completion phases: perimeter by 15 February, biometrics online 1 March.
IDF Engineering Corps flattens 20 dunams adjacent to Salah
al-Din highway. 300 Palestinian labourers from West Bank employed under
security vetting. Budget breakdown: 40% surveillance tech, 30% infrastructure,
20% logistics, 10% medical facilities.
Egyptian contractors reinforce 10-kilometre Philadelphi Corridor
barrier concurrently. US Congress approved $100 million supplemental for Gaza
border security in December 2025 NDAA.
Regional Stakeholder Positions
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty confirmed
"technical approval" pending ceasefire signature. Jordan's King
Abdullah warned of refugee spillover during Amman summit. Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman pledged $500 million reconstruction conditional on camp
transparency.
Turkish President Erdogan termed plan "ethnic profiling
camp" during Ankara press conference. Qatar committed $200 million aid
routed through camp systems. Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz called for
Knesset oversight committee monitoring operations.
Arab League Damascus session endorsed Egyptian mediation
role. Palestinian Islamic Jihad vowed rocket barrages targeting construction
equipment.
International Oversight Proposals
United Nations Relief and Works Agency sought observer
status at camp entry points. International Committee of Red Cross requested
data access protocols for family reunifications. EU Parliament resolution
demanded independent audit of recognition algorithms.
Israeli Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee heard testimony
from Unit 8200 veterans confirming system integration with Iron Dome targeting.
High Court petition hearing scheduled 5 February on privacy violations. IDF
reported zero false positives in 50,000-test simulation last month.
World Health Organization allocated 50 ventilators and 200 ICU beds for camp hospital. UNHCR flagged 700,000 displaced eligible for processing under transitional framework.
Operational Protocols Detailed
Daily
schedule processes 3,000 outbound Gazans to Egypt for medical treatment,
work permits, or family visits. Inbound aid convoys scanned individually,
capacity 400 trucks daily. Blacklisted individuals transferred to IDF detention
under Hague Conventions.
Camp commandant reports to Gaza Division commander, with
real-time feeds to Jerusalem Operations Directorate. Emergency protocols
evacuate 10,000 within 45 minutes via 20 designated gates. Power redundancy
includes 72-hour battery backups for scanning arrays.
Hamas ceasefire delegation in Doha countered with
Egyptian-run model excluding Israeli biometrics. Israel rejected proposal,
citing 2021 border breach smuggling 1,200 weapons. US State Department endorsed
hybrid oversight blending IDF tech with UN monitors.