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Israel and Egypt accuse each other of blocking humanitarian aid at the Rafah crossing

Cairo condemned that Israel is trying to blame it for the blockade of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing, a basic access route to the Strip, on the border between Egypt and southern Gaza.

“The key to stopping the humanitarian crisis in Gaza now lies in the hands of our Egyptian friends,” Israeli Foreign Minister Katz said in comments distributed to journalists. Katz said he had spoken to his British and German counterparts about “the need to convince Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing”, adding that he would also speak to Italy’s foreign minister.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, “will not control the Rafah crossing,” Katz said, citing security concerns on which Israel “will not make concessions.” These comments have provoked a sharp reaction from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, which assured in a statement that Israel is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and that its operations in Rafah are the main reason why it has stopped aid entering the enclave.

Egypt has consistently said the crossing has remained open on its side during the conflict between Israel and Hamas that began on October 7. Cairo has been one of the mediators in the stalled ceasefire talks, but its relations with Israel have been strained since Israeli forces captured the Rafah crossing on May 7. The United Nations and other international aid agencies said the closure of two crossings into southern Gaza – Rafah and Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom – has cut off the enclave from outside aid. (Reuters)