Officials say that Egypt may suspend a crucial peace treaty if Israel takes any further steps towards Rafah on its border.

If Israeli troops are deployed in the densely populated Gaza border town of Rafah, Egypt may suspend its peace treaty with Israel, according to two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat. This could lead to the closure of the main aid supply route in Gaza, they said.

The possibility of suspending the Camp David Accords, a vital agreement that has maintained regional stability for over 50 years, arose following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that deploying troops to Rafah was necessary to achieve victory in the four-month conflict against Hamas.

Nearly half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have fled to Rafah to escape fighting in other regions, and they are crammed into vast tent camps and U.N.-managed shelters near the border. Egypt is concerned about a potential influx of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who may never be permitted to return.

The conflict between Israel and Egypt, two important American allies, intensified as aid organizations cautioned that a military operation in Rafah would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian predicament in Gaza, where nearly 80% of the population has been displaced and the U.N. reports that a fifth of the population is at risk of starvation.

An unnamed Hamas official stated that any invasion of Rafah would destroy the peace talks led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, which aimed to end the conflict and free Israeli prisoners.

Where would civilians go?

In an interview on ABC News’ “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” Netanyahu proposed that civilians in Rafah could escape to the north, stating that there are many areas that have been cleared by the army. He added that Israel is currently working on a comprehensive plan to relocate them.

The ongoing offensive by Israel has resulted in widespread devastation, particularly in northern Gaza, and heavy fighting continues in central Gaza and Khan Younis. In Gaza City on Sunday, the remaining residents covered decomposing bodies in the streets or carried them to graves. Some streets were piled high with sand from bombings. Smoke billowed from destroyed buildings.

One of Gaza's only routes for delivering essential food and medical supplies could be blocked by a ground operation in Rafah.

The three officials confirmed Egypt's threats, speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to brief reporters on the sensitive negotiations. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and other countries have also warned of severe repercussions if Israel goes into Rafah.

The European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated that an Israeli offensive on Rafah would result in an unimaginable humanitarian disaster and intensify tensions with Egypt.

The White House has cautioned against a Rafah ground operation, stating that it would be detrimental to civilians, while simultaneously providing arms to Israel and shielding it from international cease-fire demands.

Five wars were fought between Israel and Egypt before the signing of the Camp David Accords, a landmark peace treaty brokered by then-U.S. President Jimmy Carter in the late 1970s. The treaty includes provisions regarding the deployment of forces on both sides of the border.

Gaza's border with Egypt has been heavily fortified by Egypt, with a 5-kilometer (3-mile) buffer zone and concrete walls above and below ground. Egypt denies Israeli allegations that Hamas operates smuggling tunnels beneath the border, asserting that Egyptian forces have full control on their side.

If the border is breached, the military may not be able to stop the influx of people into the Sinai Peninsula, causing concern among Egyptian officials.

The UN reports that Rafah, originally housing around 300,000 people, is now hosting 1.4 million refugees who fled conflict, resulting in severe overcrowding.

"Netanyahu stated that Hamas still maintains four battalions in Rafah, implying that those who oppose entering the city are surrendering to the enemy and allowing Hamas to remain," he said in an interview with ABC News.

112 bodies taken to Gaza hospital in a day

Gaza's population is being ordered to evacuate south by Israel, with two-thirds of the territory covered, even as airstrikes are carried out in all areas, including Rafah, resulting in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including women and children.

Over the past 24 hours, 112 people were killed and 173 were injured in Gaza, bringing the death toll to 28,176 since the start of the war. The Health Ministry does not differentiate between civilians and fighters, but most of those killed were women and children.

On October 7th, Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 civilians and the abduction of around 250 people. During a weeklong cease-fire in November, over 100 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. However, some of the remaining hostages have unfortunately passed away.

Unless Israel ends its offensive and withdraws from Gaza, Hamas will not release any more prisoners, including senior militants serving life sentences.

Netanyahu has rejected both demands, stating that Israel will continue to fight until "total victory" and the return of all hostages.