Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause during a phone interview with Al Qahera News channel on Friday, February 9, 2024. Fahmy emphasized that Egypt’s stance remains consistent and steadfast, even amid the recent crisis in Gaza. He stated that Egypt has been actively engaging with all parties involved to promote restraint and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Highlighting Egypt’s pivotal role, Fahmy underscored the country’s efforts in ensuring the operation of the Rafah border crossing around the clock. He explained that despite initial challenges due to bombings in the vicinity, Egypt promptly repaired and equipped the crossing to facilitate the entry of essential aid and relief supplies into the Gaza Strip.
“The entry of aid for 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip represents a top priority for Egypt,” Fahmy emphasized, reaffirming Egypt’s commitment to providing relief to Palestinians and rejecting any form of displacement.
Fahmy’s remarks were prompted by recent claims made by US President Biden, alleging Egypt’s reluctance to open the Rafah border crossing. In response, the Egyptian Presidency issued a statement clarifying its position and actions regarding humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
The Egyptian Presidency emphasized that Egypt had opened the Rafah border crossing without restrictions or conditions, mobilizing significant humanitarian aid from both Egypt and other countries worldwide. However, persistent bombings on the Palestinian side of the crossing by Israel obstructed aid delivery efforts.
“With regard to Egypt’s position and role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and relief to the Palestinian brothers, the Presidency of the Republic definitively states that, from the first moment, Egypt has opened the Rafah border crossing from its side without any restrictions or conditions and has mobilized massive humanitarian aid and relief, flowing from both Egypt itself and countries worldwide who delivered their support directly to Al Arish Airport. Egypt has exerted significant pressure on all concerned parties to ensure the flow of this aid into the sector. However, the persistent bombing of the Palestinian side of the crossing by Israel, which was repeated four times, obstructed and halted the delivery process. Egypt emphasizes that once the shelling of the other side of the crossing ended, Egypt immediately undertook the necessary repairs and technical adjustments, facilitating the resumption of the flow of a substantial amount of humanitarian aid and assistance to the people of the Strip,” the Egyptian Presidency said.
The Egyptian Presidency further also affirmed the close cooperation between Egypt and the United States in achieving these objectives, as well as their joint rejection of forced displacement in the region.
