Rafah crossing closed from Palestinian side by Israel, Gaza situation catastrophic: Egypt FM - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

a day ago

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has confirmed that Israel continues to block the Rafah border crossing from the Palestinian side, describing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as having "reached the level of catastrophe."
His remarks came during a special interview with Nile News on Saturday, recorded aboard his return flight from a five-nation tour of West Africa.
Abdelatty rejected claims circulating online that Egypt is responsible for the closure of the crossing. He stressed that the Rafah border crossing remains open on the Egyptian side around the clock, and that Israeli authorities are solely responsible for obstructing movement on the Palestinian side.
He also reiterated Egypt's ongoing efforts to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and to push for a ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Gaza on the brink
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate. On Saturday, an infant, Hud Arafat, died from severe malnutrition and lack of baby formula, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency. His death brings the number of children who have died from hunger-related causes in the past 24 hours to three, raising the overall death toll from starvation in Gaza to 124.
Since 2 March, Israel has enforced a deadly blockade on the Strip, weaponizing starvation against the enclave's 2.4 million population.
Medical sources reported that 84 children were among those killed by what rights groups and United Nations (UN) officials have described as a mass-starvation policy enforced by Israeli occupation forces. More than 900,000 children are currently facing hunger, with 70,000 in a state of clinical malnutrition and at imminent risk of death.
Despite an Israeli official telling Agence-France Press (AFP) that airdrops of aid—led by the United Arab Emirates and Jordan—would resume soon, humanitarian agencies remain sceptical of the approach. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that such measures are insufficient.
'Airdrops are expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians,' Lazzarini wrote on X. He called the crisis 'manmade,' stressing that only the lifting of the siege and safe, dignified land access can halt the wave of famine.
Already, over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while attempting to access food near distribution points managed by the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, now in its 22nd month, has killed nearly 57,000 Palestinians—primarily women and children—and injured at least 143,965 others. Many victims remain buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to rescue teams, pushing the real toll even higher.
Egypt expands Africa outreach, reaffirms Saudi ties
Turning to his recent West Africa tour, Abdelatty said the mission was carried out under the directive of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, reflecting Egypt's longstanding commitment to supporting African partners across a range of sectors. He noted that the visits were preceded by detailed assessments of each country's development priorities.
Highlighting deepening cooperation between Egypt and African nations, Abdelatty cited the Julius Nyerere Dam in Tanzania—constructed entirely by Egyptian firms—as a model for successful collaboration.
On the regional front, the foreign minister reaffirmed the strength of Egypt's ties with Saudi Arabia, describing the relationship as 'solid and unshakeable.'
He emphasized that Cairo and Riyadh together form 'the two wings of the Arab and Islamic nations,' underscoring the strategic alignment between the two countries.
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