Egypt today rejected claims by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that arms were being smuggled to Hamas through its border with the Gaza Strip, Anadolu has reported. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry called Netanyahu’s allegation an attempt to hinder mediation efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap deal.
Yesterday, Netanyahu reiterated his refusal to withdraw Israeli troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, a demilitarised area along Egypt’s border with Gaza. The Israeli leader claimed that the corridor was a “lifeline” for Hamas to rearm.
Cairo accused Netanyahu of “trying to involve Egypt to divert Israeli public opinion and obstruct a ceasefire and hostage swap deal, as well as hindering mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the US.”
It held the Israeli government responsible for the consequences of these statements, “which exacerbate the situation and aim to justify aggressive and inflammatory policies, leading to further escalation in the region.”
Egypt reiterated its commitment to its historic role in leading the peace process in the region to maintain regional peace and security and achieve stability for all the peoples of the region.
The Egyptian regime rejects any Israeli military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Crossing in southern Gaza.
For months, Egypt, Qatar and the US have been trying to broker an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. However, mediation efforts have been stalled due to Netanyahu’s insistence that any deal must allow Israel to continue to bomb Gaza and keep troops in the enclave.
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