The Negev: Spotlight on Israel's Vast Desert Region
Amid recent proposals from Israeli and international officials about relocating Gaza residents during escalating conflict, Egypt's President suggested moving them to Israel's Negev desert if necessary for protection.
Israel hasn't formally responded yet. But some Israeli officials previously proposed evacuating Gazans to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, including Danny Ayalon of the far-right Yisrael Beytenu party, which is part of PM Netanyahu’s new wartime coalition.
So what do we know about the Negev, the desert expanse in southern Israel?
Introducing the Negev: Israel’s Vast Desert Region
The Negev is a triangular desert region in southern Israel. Its eastern border is Wadi Araba and the western border reaches Egypt's Sinai.
In Arabic, "Negev" means “dry area” or “downward slope.” This refers to the desert’s varied terrain of mountains, valleys, plains and declining plateaus.
At around 14,000 sq km, most of the sparse population are Arab Bedouin tribes.
Over 300,000 Arab citizens reside there. About 150,000 live in 45 unrecognized villages lacking electricity, water, clinics or infrastructure from Israel.
Arabs with Israeli citizenship, remaining after Israel’s 1948 founding, comprise 21% of the population.
Major Negev cities include Beersheba, Rahat (the Negev’s second largest city), Ar’ara, Tel Sheva, Tel Arad, Kuseife, Hurah, Lakia, Um Batin, Segev Shalom, Um Heiran, Um Matnan, Kasr, Aka, Aseera, Bir Hadaj, Wadi El Naam, and Tarabin.
Geographically, the Negev contains 5 sub-regions: Wadi Araba, the high plateau, the central region, the western region, and the northern Negev.
Skepticism Over Request to Absorb Gazans
During a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi rejected Israeli suggestions about relocating Gazans to the Sinai.
Sisi argued that the ongoing Gaza strikes represent an attempt to force civilians into leaving for Sinai, which would help liquidate the Palestinian cause.
Instead, he proposed that “if it is necessary to transport the residents of the Gaza Strip out of the strip to protect them from military operations, Israel can transfer them to the Negev desert."
Sisi warned moving Gazans to Sinai could also mean transferring West Bank Palestinians to Jordan, eliminating the Palestinian question. Using Sinai as a base for Palestinian attacks on Israel would also make Egypt responsible.
Israeli analyst Shlomo Genon considers the Negev proposal unrealistic since Israel never asked Gaza residents to leave, only take shelter in Gaza’s south. He said no Israeli plan or directive calls for emptying Gaza.
Earlier, senior Egyptian parliamentarian Ahmed El-Awady rejected suggestions to displace Palestinians into Sinai or Jordan as “unacceptable.” He reiterated Egypt’s red line against undermining Palestinian rights.
El-Awady indicated moving Gazans to the Negev could be considered if necessary, noting Egypt’s military can secure Sinai, and will not tolerate provocations expanding the conflict.
