Egypt's foreign ministry has strongly condemned Israel for taking control of the Palestinian side of the key Rafah border crossing, labeling the move as a 'dangerous escalation.' The ministry expressed concerns that this action could jeopardize the lives of over a million Palestinians who heavily rely on this crossing as the primary lifeline for the Gaza Strip.
Israel's military has confirmed the takeover of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, which serves as a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. This facility is the only Gaza border crossing not under Israeli control and has been instrumental in facilitating the entry of much-needed humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Egypt has urged Israel to exercise restraint and refrain from policies that could undermine the possibility of a potential truce. The country emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, calling on all parties to work towards de-escalation.
Furthermore, Egypt is actively engaged in mediation efforts alongside Qatar to negotiate a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, aiming to alleviate tensions and promote dialogue between the conflicting parties.