Abu Ageila is a strategically important road junction and dam in the north of the Sinai peninsula, because of its proximity to the border with Israel, approximately 25 km from Auja al-Hafir and 45 km southeast of El Arish. It was the site of major battles in the 1948, 1956 and 1967 wars between Israel and Egypt. The adjacent location Umm Katef (Arabic: أم كاتف‎) was another key Egyptian position in the Abu Ageila battles. In 1930, there were about 10,000 and, in 1948, only 3,500 'Azazme living in this area. Furthermore, the ownership of the land they inhabited was often disputed.