Egypt refuses to cooperate with Israel in opening Rafah crossing

Egypt has informed Israel that it will keep the Rafah border crossing with Gaza closed so long as Israeli troops remain on the Gazan side, according to The National and agencies on May 16th.
Israeli forces entered Rafah on May 6th , despite US warnings, taking control of the crossing a day later.
Before the Israeli invasion, Gaza’s southernmost city contained 1.4 million displaced citizens – the majority of the besieged Strip’s population – living in desperate conditions and enduring devastating bombardment.
Egypt responded it would cease working with Israel in facilitating aid through the crossing, with sources confirming that “Egypt will not reopen the crossing and that’s its final position despite significant US pressure on Cairo to do so.”
The country had previously warned Israel of repercussions in the event of an invasion into Rafah.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Israeli control over the crossing risked aid workers and lorry drivers lives, blaming Israel as “solely responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
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Mossad agents visited Cairo on May 15th, aiming to persuade Egypt to open the border crossing for aid.
Cairo has not released an official statement regarding the outcome of the meeting with the Mossad officials.
But sources reported that Israel intends to maintain a tight grip on the crossing, even if a ceasefire deal is achieved, creating uncertainty over the already strained relations between Israel and Egypt.
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Egypt has also opposed Israel’s invasion of Rafah, expressing concern that the further violence would risk Egyptian national security, increase the already horrific death toll of 35,200, and spark further mass displacement of Gazans into the Sinai Peninsula.
On 12th May Israeli Prime Minister urged Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing, accursing Cairo of holding Gazans “hostage” by refusing to cooperate with Israel in delivering aid, claiming Israel supposedly supports “maximum humanitarian aid flows”.
Netanyahu added, “Nobody should hold the Palestinian population hostage in any way and I’m not holding them hostage. I don’t think anyone should.”
However Egypt has critiqued Israel for derailing ceasefire talks, and has recently announced it will support South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza in the International Court of Justice.
Arab News / Agencies