Abu-Ageila is a strategically important road junction and dam in the north of the Sinai peninsula, approximately 45 km southeast of El Arish. It was the site of major battles in the 1948, 1956 and 1967 wars between Israel and Egypt (See Battle of Abu-Ageila). The adjacent location Umm Katef (Arabic: أم كاتف) was another key Egyptian position in the Abu-Ageila battles.