Israel and Egypt exchange accusations over Rafah crossing and humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip

(Patria) - Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Egypt must be "convinced" to reopen the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to "enable the continuation of the delivery of international humanitarian aid," agencies reported.

He said in a statement that "the key to preventing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends," adding that foreign critics who blame Israel for the humanitarian situation are mistaken.

Katz said that Hamas "will not control the Rafah crossing. This is a security need that we will not compromise on."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on Tuesday condemned what he called Israel's attempt to blame Egypt for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Shoukry added in a statement that Israel's seizure of the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt, as well as its military operations in the area, are the main reasons why aid could not enter Gaza.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister added that "Egypt affirms its categorical rejection of the policy of distorting facts and denying responsibility pursued by the Israeli side."

On X, Katz then said: "Yesterday I spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock about the need to convince Egypt to reopen the Rafah crossing to allow the continuation of the delivery of international humanitarian aid to Gaza" and added that "the key to preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends."

Shoukry responded that "Israel is solely responsible for the humanitarian catastrophe that Palestinians are currently facing in the Gaza Strip," adding that Israel's control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing and its military operations expose "humanitarian workers and truck drivers to immediate dangers," referring to trucks waiting to enter Gaza.

This, he said, is "the main reason for the inability to bring aid through the crossing."