As reported by Egypt’s state-affiliated Alqahera News satellite TV, the North African country of Egypt has refused to cooperate with Israel on the flow of supplies into Gaza from the Rafah border owing to Israel’s “unacceptable escalation”. A senior official was cited for this information. The official noted that Egypt was unhappy with how Israel handled the situation.
- Egypt refuses cooperation with Israel on Gaza supply flow, citing unacceptable escalation.
- Israel's control of the Rafah border prompts Egypt to halt supply coordination, blaming Israel for conflict escalation.
- Tensions rise as Egypt snubs Israel, cutting off major supply channel into Gaza Strip.
The report seen in the Israeli newspaper, the Times of Israel revealed that Egypt blames Israel for the conflict escalation in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli soldiers sealed off an essential supply channel into the Gaza Strip on May 7 by taking control of the major Rafah border crossing. This was Israel's move during the start of its operations against Hamas in the Rafah region as negotiations for a truce and hostage agreement seemed to collapse.
They indicated that Hamas used the border for terrorist objectives. It is frequently assumed that weapons and other prohibited materials are smuggled into the Strip from Egypt.
The two borders into southern Gaza, Rafah, and Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom, were closed, according to the UN and other international relief organizations, effectively cutting off the region from outside help and leaving very few stores open.
According to Red Crescent sources in Egypt, supplies have ceased.
Israel is however worried that Egypt's failure to coordinate the admission of supplies might result in immense global pressure and jeopardize its capacity to operate in Rafah.
