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SvennoJ on 14 May 2024
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Israel blames Egypt for continued closure of Rafah crossing

Israel’s foreign minister says that Egypt must be “persuaded” to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to “allow the continued delivery of international humanitarian aid”.

Israel Katz said in a statement that “the key to preventing a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends”, adding foreign critics blaming Israel for the humanitarian situation in the strip are misguided.

He added that Israel will not allow Hamas to control the Rafah crossing. “This is a security necessity on which we will not compromise”, he said.

Israeli forces seized and closed the crossing, the main entry point for aid to the besieged Strip since the beginning of the war in October, one week ago as it began its offensive on the southern city of Rafah.

Oh blame Egypt again, that will go over well. You closed the crossing, as well as Kerem Shalom. What's the excuse there?

Egypt fires back at Israeli claims it is responsible for Rafah border closure

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has denounced what he called Israel’s attempt to blame Egypt for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Shoukry added in a statement that Israel’s seizure of the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt, as well as its military operations in the area were the main reasons for aid being unable to enter Gaza.

 

Continuing closure of crossings halting entry of aid into Gaza: Red Crescent

The Palestine Red Crescent Society has warned of the “deterioration of humanitarian conditions” in the coastal enclave, amid the closure of border crossings.

“The ongoing closure of crossings by the Israeli occupation forces, especially the vital Rafah crossing, which is the main artery supplied to the entire Gaza Strip, prevents the entry of humanitarian aid, including food medicine, as well as fuel and poses an imminent humanitarian and health disaster,” the group said in a post on X.

“This means that famine is imminent with the depletion of food stocks, especially the continued seven-month-long aggression and displacement of more than 85 percent of the population. Citizens are suffering from severe levels of food insecurity amid severe humanitarian aid shortages, in clear violation by the occupation forces of international humanitarian law.”

The group urged the international community to “urgently intervene” and pressure the Israeli government to open the crossings, and to allow “unimpeded, sustainable, and unconditional flow of humanitarian aid”.