Egypt's foreign ministry insisted on Sunday that the country's Rafah border crossing with Gaza is and will remain open specifically to lighten the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

 

"Since Israeli attacks commenced, Egypt has been adamant in keeping the Rafah crossing open continuously and exceptionally to allow for the passage of people and humanitarian aid convoys and to receive the wounded," the ministry's statement read.

 

The ministry announced that 7,500 persons have passed to and from Gaza through Rafah and that over 1,200 tonnes of medical and food aid have made their way through, asserting that procedures for the passage of people and goods were eased and that ambulances were especially prepared and dispatched to the crossing.

 

Egyptian authorities came under fire shortly after hostilities began in Gaza for allegedly keeping the crossing closed while Palestinians were being bombed.

 

The ministry expressed its "bewilderment" at such accusations in its Sunday statement, describing them as being "in complete contradiction to facts on the ground."

 

Blockade

 

The ministry strongly attacked the "inhumane" Israeli blockade on Gaza and urged for it to be lifted, echoing statements it made shortly after the Israeli onslaught began.

 

"Egypt is continuing its efforts and its permanent attempts to stop the bloodletting of innocents from the Palestinian people and giving its utmost support for them to achieve their legitimate aspirations," said the statement, stressing that it was doing so by calling for the end of the blockade and for Israel to "carry out its responsibility" as an "occupying power."

 

"The Palestinian people are facing a continuous attack that has taken hundreds of lives [amidst] a suffocating blockade imposed by Israel, which is attempting to evade its legal responsibility to allow the passage of aid and basic goods to civilians," the statement concluded.

 

Negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis were held in Cairo last week but failed to reach a resolution. Egypt was unable to extend a 72-hour ceasefire observed during the indirect talks. The Israeli delegation left Friday and has since refused to return until Palestinians stop rocket fire.

 

On the other hand, Hamas – whose military wing the Al-Qassam Brigades are the largest fighting faction in Gaza – has vowed not to present any concessions to Israel on Saturday. Head of the Palestinian delegation Azzam Al-Ahmad rejected Israeli pre-conditions – which include disarming Palestinian factions – and insisted on lifting the blockade.

 

Israel has killed more than 1,916 Palestinians, mostly civilians, in the month-long war, while Palestinians killed 67 Israelis, almost all soldiers.