Egypt clear in its refusal of Israeli presence at Rafah crossing: FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Jun 2024 15:11

The Egyptian Foreign Minister stresses the difficulty of continued operations of the Rafah crossing without a Palestinian administration.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry holds a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during Blinken's visit to Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry conveyed on Monday that the Hamas movement considers the Israeli proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden as "positive", adding that "we are now waiting for the Israeli response."

In late May, Biden unveiled a three-phase proposal that involves releasing Israeli captives held by the Palestinian Resistance in exchange for a ceasefire in Gaza. But Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated on Saturday that any suggestion of "Israel" agreeing to a permanent ceasefire before "the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities" was "a non-starter."

Hamas said it "views positively" the ceasefire proposal laid out by the US President and confirmed its readiness to "deal positively and in a constructive manner" with any proposal that is based on a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from the Strip.

Biden mentioned that the proposal was sent to Hamas via Qatar for review. But Mousa Abu Marzouk, the head of Hamas' international relations office, confirmed to Al Mayadeen that the movement had not received any document regarding the proposal.

Abu Marzouk stated on Saturday that the US administration has yet to receive a positive response from the Israeli occupation regarding the proposal, "nonetheless they demand that we approve it."

He pointed out that what Biden announced are "principles that Hamas perceives as positive," but "we need to review them in full," underlining that the movement "will not accept any amendments to the old document concerning the ceasefire and the withdrawal from Gaza."

The Palestinian official explained to Al Mayadeen that if the proposal includes ending the war and withdrawing Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, then "the Resistance will stand by its people and accept the proposal."

Egypt denies plans to build new barrier on Gaza border

In a separate context, Shoukry made it clear on Monday that Egypt is clear in its refusal of Israeli presence at the Rafah crossing with Gaza, asserting in a press conference with his Spanish counterpart in Madrid that "it is difficult for the Rafah crossing to continue operating without a Palestinian administration."

Last month, Israeli occupation forces invaded the city of Rafah in southern Gaza and occupied the key Rafah crossing.

The Egyptian Al-Qahera news website cited a senior official denying Israeli claims about Egypt's intention to build a new barrier on the border with the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on Monday, the website quoted a senior Egyptian source confirming that Egypt adheres to its position regarding "Israel’s" withdrawal from the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing to resume its humanitarian operation.

The statement followed a meeting in Cairo between the delegations of Egypt, the United States, and the Israeli occupation to discuss the restoration of the operations at the crossing.

The senior source indicated that the Egyptian delegation remained fully committed to "Israel's" withdrawal from the Rafah crossing and affirmed that "Israel" bears full responsibility for the blocking of humanitarian aid into Gaza.