Egypt denies claims of Rafah invasion discussion with 'Israel'
Egypt has reiterated its rejection of an Israeli invasion of Rafah, debunking what American media has been circulating.
The Chairman of the Egyptian State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, categorically denied what was published in a major American newspaper about Egypt discussing plans for the invasion of Rafah with the Israeli side.
Rashwan stressed, "The Egyptian position is consistent and has been publicly declared several times by the political leadership. Egypt completely rejects this invasion which will lead to more massacres, massive human losses, and widespread destruction, in addition to what the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been suffering over 200 days of bloody Israeli aggression."
He explained that "Egypt's repeated warnings have reached – from all channels – the Israeli side ever since the latter proposed the idea of ​​carrying out a military operation in Rafah, [and came as a result] of these expected losses, in addition to the extremely negative repercussions that will impact the stability of the entire region."
Rashwan added that while “Israel” is considering the invasion, all nations of the world and its international institutions alongside Egypt stand against it. He also emphasized that Egypt has been consistent in its efforts since the beginning of the Israeli genocide in Gaza to reach a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
The head of the State Information Service stressed that Egypt seeks to provide sufficient humanitarian aid to its brothers and sisters in all regions of Gaza, especially the north and Gaza City, as well as transfer injured and sick Palestinians from the Strip, where all health services have been destroyed and obstructed, and provide them with the necessary medical treatment.
'We will not raise a white flag'
The head of Hamas' Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, warned against a potential invasion by the Israeli occupation forces in Rafah stressing that it could lead to further massacres against Palestinians.
In an exclusive interview for Anadolu, Haniyed stated, "I call on all brotherly countries, our brothers in Egypt, our brothers in Turkey, our brothers in Qatar as mediators, and the European countries to take action to restrain [Israeli] aggression and prevent the operation in Rafah, [and to ensure] the complete withdrawal [of the Israeli army] from the Gaza Strip and the end of the attacks on Gaza."
To emphasize the strength and resistance of the Palestinian people if a Rafah invasion were to happen, Haniyeh said, "If the Zionist enemy enters Rafah, the Palestinian people will not raise the white flag. The Resistance fighters in Rafah are ready to defend themselves and resist attacks."