Smotrich's remarks are 'irresponsible and inflammatory': Egypt
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A spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs contends that Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's remarks on Egypt “only reveal a hunger for killing and destruction."
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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attending an event on March 20, 2023. (AFP)
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Ahmed Abu Zeid described the recent remarks of the Israeli Finance Minister and the leader of the Religious Zionist Party Bezalel Smotrich regarding Cairo as "irresponsible and inflammatory."
In a post on X, he added that Smotrich's words “only reveal a hunger for killing and destruction and sabotage any attempt to contain the crisis in the Gaza Strip.”
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson added, “These statements are completely unacceptable, as Egypt fully controls its territory,” and it should not be held responsible for the failures of others.
These remarks came after Smotrich accused Egypt of bearing significant responsibility for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, alleging that Hamas smuggled weapons through Egypt.
In a different context, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in a televised address following a cabinet meeting on Monday that the Israeli aggression on Gaza would be a primary topic of discussion in his upcoming talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi scheduled for Wednesday, as per Reuters.
Erdogan also mentioned that the discussions between the two leaders would encompass various topics such as the economy, trade, tourism, energy, and defense.
Egypt threatens to suspend 'peace accords' if 'Israel' invades Rafah
Egypt has threatened, on Sunday, to dissolve its normalization agreement with "Israel" if the occupation deploys condensed forces along its border with the Gazan city of Rafah.
Two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat stated on Sunday that in case "Israel" makes the move, Egypt would be forced to block the Rafah crossing, currently the only humanitarian corridor that is supplying Gaza with relief aid.
It is worth noting that Cairo has lately sent warnings to "Israel" regarding their diplomatic relations - that these may cease in case the Israeli forces launch a full-scale invasion of the city of Rafah, according to The Wall Street Journal.
"Any ground operation in Rafah would lead to an immediate suspension of the peace treaty between the two countries," the report said, citing sources.
The officials told WSJ that a delegation from Cairo recently paid a visit to Israeli counterparts in "Tel Aviv" to specifically discuss the situation in Rafah.
"Israeli officials are trying to get Egypt to agree on some cooperation regarding the ground invasion, which Egyptian officials are resisting," the officials said.
Read more: Arab League Chief warns against Israeli offensive in Rafah
Deteriorating relations between Egypt and 'Israel'
In January, the head of the Egyptian Information Service Diaa Rashwan confirmed that Israeli attempts to control the Philadelphi axis pose a grave threat to Egyptian-Israeli relations.
In a statement on the State Information Service (SIS) website, Rashwan said that the recent period has seen numerous statements from Israeli officials, particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, making claims and false accusations regarding the alleged smuggling operations of weapons, explosives, ammunition, and other components into the Gaza Strip from Egyptian territory.
At the time, he further emphasized the Israeli persistence in promoting these falsehoods as an effort to justify its intent to seize control of the "Philadelphi Axis" or the Salah al-Din Corridor within the Gaza Strip along the border with Egypt. "This action constitutes a breach of the security agreements and protocols previously signed between him and Egypt."
Rashwan stressed that "It must be strictly emphasized that any Israeli move in this direction will seriously threaten Egyptian-Israeli relations."
