Egyptian Foreign Ministry Confirms Rafah Crossing Not Closed and Condemns 'Distortion' of Its Role in Supporting Palestine

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed 'condemnation' on Thursday for what it described as 'malicious' propaganda issued by some forces and organizations that 'aim to distort the Egyptian role in supporting the Palestinian cause.'

The ministry also denounced 'unfounded accusations that Egypt has contributed, or is contributing, to the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip by preventing the entry of humanitarian aid.'

Egypt emphasized the 'superficiality and illogicality of those baseless accusations, which contradict their content with the position, Egyptian interests, and ignore the role that Egypt has played, and continues to play, since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Strip, whether in terms of strenuous efforts to reach a ceasefire, or through relief operations and the provision and entry of humanitarian aid led by Egypt through the Rafah Crossing, or the efforts in preparing and promoting the reconstruction plan adopted and supported by a number of international parties, which aimed at rescuing innocent Palestinians in Gaza, delivering aid, initiating early recovery stages, and reconstruction.'

It affirmed that its efforts come 'within the framework of a consistent stance aimed at providing the means for the Palestinian people to survive and resist attempts of forced displacement, land seizure, and the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.'

It also confirmed that Rafah Crossing has not been closed from the Egyptian side at all, and that 'the crossing on the Palestinian side is occupied by the Israeli occupation authority, which prevents access through it.'