Egypt to respond to Israeli accusations of closing Rafah crossing
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Egypt reiterates its denial of Israeli accusations that it is closing the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for the entry of aid, and the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Agency confirms that Egypt will respond formally and legally.
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Israeli occupation forces work at the Karam Abou Salem Crossing as trucks carry humanitarian aid from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, Friday, December 22, 2023. (AP)
The Chairman of Egypt's State Information Service, Diaa Rashwan, has confirmed that Cairo will respond to the Israeli accusations leveled against it at the ICJ.
"Egypt will respond officially and legally. A memorandum will be sent to the International Court of Justice to be appended to the case file, addressing Israel's allegations of the closure of the Rafah crossing."
Rashwan added that the Egyptian authorities will work to send Egypt's comprehensive response along with a legal team to the International Court of Justice, noting that the Israeli presentation of this case before the court is an "official acknowledgment from them of committing this crime."
The Egyptian official also denied that "Egypt receives money for Palestinians entering Rafah."
Earlier on Friday, Rashwan categorically denied the allegations and lies made by the Israeli security team before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in which the officials claimed that Egypt is responsible for preventing the entry of humanitarian and relief aid into the Gaza Strip.
Although Egypt controls its side of the border crossing in Rafah, the country has not denied aid truck entry into the Gaza Strip. The occupation has instead imposed a no-entry zone in the area by bombing any unauthorized movement.
Rashwan clarified in a statement that the "lies" made by "[Israel] are evident in statements made by Israeli officials, led by the Prime Minister, the Defense [Security] Minister, and the Energy Minister, who have repeatedly publicly affirmed since the start of the aggression on Gaza that they will not allow aid to enter Gaza, especially fuel, because this is part of the war waged by their state on the Strip."
ICJ to rule on South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel'
Earlier on Thursday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was set to render a decision on South Africa's case against "Israel", which filed genocide charges against the occupation regime.
The urgency of the requested temporary measures has expedited the process, as confirmed by the ICJ's press office to Ria Novosti.
"While we are not in a position to indicate the exact date of the reading of the сourt’s order, given that the procedure relates to provisional measures that are dealt with urgently, the decision can be expected soon," ICJ Associate Information Officer Avo Sevag Garabet said.
Tomorrow is the first hearing in the #ICJ after South Africa filed a petition to the ICJ regarding "Israel's" crimes in #Gaza.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) January 10, 2024
Several countries have backed #SouthAfrica in its decision to hold the Israeli occupation accountable before the ICJ, including #Venezuela, Namibia,… pic.twitter.com/KxKJljRLb0
