The Desert Column of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force ( EEF ) attacked Attack an entrenched Ottoman Army garrison at El Magruntein to the south of Rafah , close to the frontier between the Sultanate of Egypt and the Ottoman Empire , to the north and east of Sheikh Zowaiid .

During the day-long assault Attack , the Ottoman garrison defended Defending El Magruntein 's series of fortified redoubts and trenches on rising Cause_change_of_position_on_a_scale ground surrounded Surrounding by flat grassland .