President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said that Egypt is not participating in the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and that the entry of aid requires the approval of Israel, which controls the Rafah crossing.
Sisi responded “frankly and calmly,” as he described it, to thorny questions and accusations that Cairo called “false and malicious” about Egypt’s role in current regional tensions, such as the blockade of Gaza and concerns over entering a war with Israel.
During a visit to the Egyptian Military Academy on Friday, Sisi said that Egypt is not participating in the blockade of Gaza.
He added that the 365-square-kilometer strip is connected to Egypt by only 14 kilometers. The strip overlooks the sea and has several crossings with Israel, he explained, as well as one with Egypt, the Rafah crossing, which is designated for the transport of people.
The Karem Abu Salem crossing connects Egypt to Israel for the benefit of Gaza, the president said.
Egypt announced more than a year ago that Israel was occupying the Philadelphi Corridor, he added, in violation of the treaty between the two countries, as military forces were not supposed to reach this adjacent area.
He warned that the presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi Corridor completely closes the Rafah crossing.
Sisi continued: “If we want to bring aid into Gaza from Egyptian territory, it must be allowed to cross from Palestinian territory, but on the other side Israeli forces are standing guard.”
He added that Egypt has restored the Rafah crossing four times after it was destroyed by the Israelis, making it operational. However, the passage of aid requires coordination with the Israelis and cannot be brought in by force.
Is Egypt undertaking any military action?
President Sisi referred to certain demands calling to storm the crossing and force the entry of aid, emphasizing that this would require “military action.”
He asked: “Is Egypt required to enter a war as a result of the developments occurring in Gaza Strip? I am responsible for the Egyptians, their security, and their safety, and I do not take positions or actions that would harm the state unless imposed upon us.”
“Is Egypt required to attack? No, we are only defending ourselves,” Sisi stressed.
He said that Israeli approval is required for aid to enter Gaza through the Rafah crossing, which is currently under Israel’s control.
Sisi explained that accusing Egypt of blockading Gaza aims to send a false message about the Palestinian issue, but “the Egyptians must be careful and convey the correct narrative,” he said.
The President stressed that Egypt’s demands for aid are endless, with the goal of providing assistance to the residents of the Strip and alleviating their suffering.
However, he added, “we will not enter into a war with others,” noting that there is “sympathy and sadness” for what is happening in Gaza, “but we will not get involved in anything.”
