Abu Ageila is aroad junction anddam in the north of theSinai Peninsula inEgypt, which, because of its proximity to Egypt's border with theState of Israel, is strategically important. Located approximately 25 kilometres fromAuja al-Hafir, and 45 kilometres southeast ofEl Arish, it was the site of major battles in the1948,1956, and1967 wars between the two states. The adjacent location Umm Katef (Arabic:أم قطف) was another key Egyptian position in the Abu Ageila battles.[1]
In 1930, there were about 10,000'Azazme Bedouin Egyptians, related to theTarabin in El Arish,[2] living in the area. By 1948, the number was only 3,500. Land ownership was often disputed between the inhabitants.[3][4]
In his 2013 biography ofAriel Sharon, 'Arik: The Life of Ariel Sharon',David Landau records that, during the Israeli occupation of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, Sharon ordered the secret expulsion from Abu Ageila of 3,000 of its inhabitants in late January 1972. Ostensibly, this was to clear the way for a military exercise code-namedOz (meaning "Valour" in Hebrew) in preparation for an attack on theSuez Canal were a further war to break out between Israel and Egypt. The expulsion order was executed by Israeli military personnel over three days during the onset of freezing temperatures in the desert. No warning was given to the inhabitants, and no time was allowed for them to collect their belongings before being removed from their homes. Lt. Gen.David Elazar later ordered that the expelled inhabitants be allowed to return.[5]
30°50′35.30″N34°07′03.84″E / 30.8431389°N 34.1177333°E /30.8431389; 34.1177333
