A high-ranking Egyptian official has reaffirmed Egypt’s firm stance against operating the Rafah Crossing under Israeli occupation.
The official noted that Egyptian authorities coordinated with UN officials to facilitate the entry of 2,272 trucks into Gaza.
He highlighted that Egypt worked with the UN to allow aid to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing temporarily, pending the resumption of operations at the Rafah Crossing.
Egypt has also refuted claims by Israeli media that Cairo had agreed to participate in a UN-affiliated Arab force to manage Gaza’s crossings.
In a previous statement to Al Arabiya.net, Major General Mohamed Ibrahim El-Duwairi, Deputy Director of the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, said that Israel is attempting to create an international crisis around the Rafah Crossing to serve its own goals since occupying the crossing over a month ago.
However, he emphasized that Egypt would not treat the situation as if nothing had happened, adding that the illegal occupation is temporary and must end for the crossing to return to Palestinian control as it was before the conflict.
Egypt’s Position Remains Unchanged
El-Duwairi reiterated that Egypt’s stance is firm and unchanging: the main crossing between Egypt and Gaza, the Rafah Crossing, must resume operations as it did before the Israeli assault on Gaza. He stressed the necessity of having Palestinian authorities fully manage the crossing.
The Egyptian expert underscored Egypt’s complete rejection of Israel’s occupation of the Rafah Crossing.
Consequently, Egypt’s decision to close the crossing to aid entry was correct and aimed at preventing Israel from imposing a de facto policy and forcing Egypt to recognize its presence as an operating authority at the crossing. This scenario is entirely unacceptable.
El-Duwairi also stated that Egypt would not accept the participation or involvement of any Arab or international forces at the Rafah Crossing.
The presence of such forces would contravene all previous agreements and understandings.
These are desperate and futile attempts to pressure Egypt into compliance. He affirmed that Egypt considers it essential for Palestinian authorities to operate the Rafah Crossing, and there is no discussion beyond this point.
