Israel and Egypt are engaged in a blame game over the closure of the Rafah Crossing, a crucial route for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s Foreign Affairs Minister Katz stated that the responsibility for preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza lies with Egypt. He urged Egypt to reopen the Rafah Crossing to allow aid deliveries into the enclave. Katz also mentioned discussing the matter with foreign counterparts from Britain, Germany, and Italy.
Israel emphasised security concerns as a reason for not allowing Palestinian group Hamas to control the Rafah Crossing. “The key to preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends,” Katz said.
Egypt swiftly responded, placing the blame on Israel for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Egypt attributed the blockage of aid to Israel’s military operations around Rafah.
Despite Egypt’s claim that the crossing has remained open from its side, aid agencies have reported that the closure of both Rafah and Israeli-controlled Karm Abu Salem Crossings has severely limited aid access to Gaza.
The United Nations warned of a looming famine in Gaza even before the closure of the crossings. Cairo has been one of the mediators in stalled ceasefire talks, but its relationship with Israel has come under strain since Israeli forces seized the Rafah Crossing on May 7.
Israel initiated its Gaza offensive after an attack on October 7, which it claimed resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people. However, subsequent reports suggest that many of the casualties were caused by Israeli military actions.
The Palestinian death toll in the conflict has surpassed 35,000, according to Gaza health officials.