Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri reiterated on Monday the severe humanitarian consequences affecting over 1.4 million Palestinians due to the closure of the Rafah Crossing and the ongoing widespread Israeli attacks. He also emphasized the need to resume the entry of aid that has been halted in recent days.
Shoukri’s remarks came as he received a phone call from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday, discussing the developments in the Gaza Strip, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zaid said.
Shoukri and Blinken extensively discussed the humanitarian and security dimensions of the Israeli military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafah, Israel’s control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah Crossing and the prevention of humanitarian aid entry.
In a related context, Minister Shoukri emphasized to US Secretary of State Blinken the serious security risks posed by the continuation of Israeli military operations in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, and the associated threat to regional stability, spokesman Abu Zaid said.
Both ministers underscored the importance of opening the land crossings between Israel and Gaza, and ensuring sufficient humanitarian aid to meet the urgent needs of the population in the region. They also reiterated their rejection of attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.
At the end of the call, the ministers agreed to continue close consultation and coordination regarding the overall developments of the crisis in Gaza, supporting effective measures to contain its repercussions, and preventing escalation and the expansion of violence to other parts of the region, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
