Israeli has not taken clear stance on Rafah border crossing with Gaza: Egypt

By Ibrahim Khazen

CAIRO (AA) - Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that the Israeli government "has not taken a position that would lead to the opening of the Rafah crossing towards Gaza."

However, Egypt has initiated discussions with the UN on this issue, Shoukry said during a press conference with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna in Cairo, in response to questions about conflicting reports about the opening of the Rafah crossing for humanitarian aid to Gaza and the exit of foreigners.

Shoukry alluded to the fact that "unfortunately, the Israeli government has not yet taken a position that would enable the opening of the crossing towards Gaza to allow for the entry of aid or the departure of citizens from third-party countries."

"Egypt is fully prepared, with all relevant agencies at the crossing, to facilitate the entry of aid and the departure of citizens from third-party countries,” he said, adding “The crossing will also operate at its natural pace to accommodate the medical needs of our Palestinian brethren."

The foreign minister said he has "hope for a breakthrough in this matter," and noted that "Egypt has been striving since the beginning of the crisis in Gaza to make the Rafah crossing operational, allowing the entry of humanitarian aid that has been accumulated in Al-Arish."

Ten days into the conflict with Palestinian group Hamas, Israeli bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over 1 million people – almost half the total population of Gaza – having been displaced, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out, as civilians flee to the south following Israeli warning to evacuate northern areas.

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza has risen to 2,750, including 750 children.

In Israel, 1,300 have been killed.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala in Istanbul