The statement refuted earlier reports that Egypt closed the crossing following the Israeli army’s announcement that it would evacuate 100,000 Palestinians from east Rafah before beginning its ground operation.

The source added that the Egyptian security delegation involved in the truce talks between Hamas and Israel is intensifying its contacts to contain the current escalation between the two parties.

Egypt has opposed any Israeli ground military operation in Palestinian Rafah, warning of its dire consequences as the city hosts more than 1.5 million displaced Palestinians.  

In tandem, in a statement, Salama Maarouf, the government spokesperson in the Gaza Strip, said work at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt was being carried out as usual.