The Egyptian presidency released a statement on Friday in response to the allegations made by US President Joe Biden regarding the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Addressing Biden’s statements from February 8, the statement affirmed the alignment of positions and the ongoing collaborative efforts between Egypt and the US in achieving a truce in Gaza.
It emphasized the joint commitment to enforcing humanitarian truces, facilitating the entry of necessary aid at a rapid pace, and rejecting forced displacement.
Biden and Abdel Fattah (Credits: Middle East Monitor)
Furthermore, the statement underscored the comprehensive agreement between the two nations on their strategic partnership aimed at establishing peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
Regarding Egypt’s role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and supporting the Palestinian people, the Presidency clarified that Egypt promptly opened the Rafah Crossing without any restrictions, mobilized substantial humanitarian aid from Egypt and other contributing countries.
However, the continuous Israeli bombings on the Palestinian side of the crossing, repeated four times, hindered the aid entry. The statement highlighted that as soon as the bombing ceased, Egypt made necessary technical modifications to maximize aid delivery.
The statement emphasized that Egypt’s role in mobilizing and delivering aid demonstrated its humanitarian responsibility toward the Palestinians in Gaza. Despite facing numerous pressures, Egypt coordinated the aid entry process and maintained intensive contact with regional and international parties.
Notably, 80 percent of the aid reaching Gaza is provided by Egypt, including contributions from the government, people, and civil society. Egypt facilitated a visit by international and UN representatives to the crossing, showcasing its substantial efforts in aid delivery.
Reiterating Egypt’s unwavering stance, the Presidency affirmed its commitment to swiftly achieving a ceasefire in Gaza to protect civilians from severe human suffering, bombings, hunger, and disease.
Egypt pledged to continue leading, organizing, mobilizing, and delivering humanitarian aid in substantial quantities. The statement urged all concerned parties to collaborate and provide necessary facilities for aid entry.
The statement concluded by rejecting any attempts to displace Palestinians and emphasized that the only viable solution to the current situation is the two-state solution, establishing an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In a press conference, Biden claimed that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi initially resisted opening the Rafah crossing for aid delivery to Gaza, and it was through Biden’s persuasion that Al-Sisi agreed to open the crossing.
