Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has rejected accusations that Cairo is complicit in the blockade of Gaza, stressing that Israel controls the Rafah crossing and must approve any entry of aid.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi © ENS
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has rejected accusations that Cairo is complicit in the blockade of Gaza, stressing that Israel controls the Rafah crossing and must approve any entry of aid.
Speaking during a visit to the Egyptian Military Academy on Friday, Sisi said Egypt is connected to Gaza by only 14 kilometers, while most crossings, including Karem Abu Salem, are under Israeli control. He added that Israeli forces’ presence in the Philadelphi Corridor has effectively shut down Rafah, despite Egypt repairing it four times after Israeli strikes.
Sisi dismissed calls to storm the crossing, warning that forcing aid through would amount to military action.
“Is Egypt required to enter a war as a result of developments in Gaza? No. We are only defending ourselves,” he said.
The president emphasized that Egypt remains committed to delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinians but will not be dragged into direct confrontation.
“Accusing Egypt of blockading Gaza is a false narrative,” Sisi said. “Our goal is to provide aid and alleviate suffering, without endangering our people.”
Egypt has officially inaugurated the Hengsheng textile factory in the West Qantara Industrial Zone, northeast of Cairo, marking a major step in the country’s strategy to expand its industrial base and strengthen textile exports.
Senior Israeli officials traveled to Egypt on Monday evening for high-level discussions focused on border security arrangements between Israel, Egypt, and the Gaza Strip, according to a report by the Qatari newspaper Araby al-Jadeed, citing well-informed Egyptian sources close to the negotiations.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned high-profile Egyptian-British activist, Alaa Abd el-Fattah, after a lengthy imprisonment and repeated hunger strikes that prompted international pleas for his release, Al Qahera news said on Monday.
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