Egypt has refused to coordinate with Israel regarding the Rafah border crossing, citing Israel’s control over the crossing as the cause of deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement from a high-ranking Egyptian official reported by Cairo’s official television channel, “Al-Qahera News “.
The official source emphasized Egypt’s rejection of coordination with Israel concerning the Rafah border crossing due to what they described as Israel’s unacceptable escalation in Gaza.
Egypt has reportedly taken steps to reach a ceasefire agreement and has shouldered its historical responsibility towards the Palestinian people.
Negotiations took place in Cairo last week aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the Arab World News Agency.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, in a call with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, affirmed Egypt’s keenness to continue its mediation role between Israel and Hamas. However, he emphasized that all parties must bear their responsibilities.
In a separate statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry revealed that Shoukry warned his British counterpart, David Cameron, about the dangerous repercussions of Israel’s control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
Shoukry highlighted the critical role of the Rafah crossing as the main and secure gateway for the entry of urgent humanitarian aid and the exit of the wounded.
The Israeli military initiated an operation in the eastern part of Rafah city last Monday, amid regional and international warnings about the consequences of launching a military operation in the city, which is home to nearly 1.5 million Palestinians displaced from various parts of the Gaza Strip due to Israeli military operations.
