In a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu-Zeid said: “We reiterate unequivocally, leaving no room for doubt or exaggeration: the Egyptian authorities alone are responsible for the procedures for the return of Egyptians from the Gaza Strip.”

This follows earlier statements by strategic expert Samir Ghattas, who claimed on MBC Misr channel, that Israel was provided with the names of Egyptians in Gaza and would be able to approve or deny their return based on their assessed connections to Hamas.

محاولات البعض تحريف تصريحات رسمية بشأن إجراءات دخول "الأجانب" إلى مصر من قطاع غزة عبر معبر رفح، لا تعبر إلا عن يأس أصحابها !!! نكرر مجددا وبما يلا يدع مجالاً للشك أو المزايدة: السلطات المصرية هي وحدها ودون غيرها التى تتولى إجراءات عودة المصريين من قطاع غزة.

— Egypt MFA Spokesperson (@MfaEgypt) December 8, 2023

Abu-Zeid clarified that the Egyptian representation office in the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah and the consular sector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received the names and documents of citizens wishing to return to their homeland.

Detailed lists are being prepared for the relevant Egyptian authorities, facilitating their transfer from Gaza to Egyptian territory through the Rafah border crossing.

Additionally, Abu-Zeid urged media sources to exercise caution and verify information that does not come from official sources before sharing.