US American newspaper Wall Street Journal quoted Egyptian officials as saying that Egypt is considering reducing its diplomatic relations with Israel.
The newspaper cited one official as saying, “Egypt is considering reducing diplomatic relations with Israel by withdrawing its ambassador from Tel Aviv,” against the backdrop of military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah.
Another Egyptian official stated, “At present, there are no plans to suspend relations or abandon Camp David,” referring to the agreements that led to the peace treaty in 1979.
He added, “But as long as Israeli forces remain at the Rafah crossing, Egypt will not send a single truck to Rafah.”
Egypt had announced, days ago, its intention to support South Africa’s lawsuit before the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
The Egyptian authorities also refused to reopen their borders with Gaza after Israeli forces seized control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
A high-level Egyptian source affirmed that Egypt has informed negotiation mediators of its strong rejection of Israeli escalation in southern Gaza Strip’s Rafah.
The source clarified that Cairo holds the Israeli side responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the Strip, as well as for preventing aid from reaching civilians in Gaza.
Egypt plays a key role as a mediator in the indirect talks between Israel and Hamas regarding an agreement aimed at releasing hostages and halting the ceasefire in Gaza
