In a phone call with Blinken, Egypt’s FM warns of security, humanitarian risks of Israel’s ground offensive in Rafah

CAIRO - 13 May 2024: Over a phone call made on Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his US counterpart Antony Blinken discussed the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the Palestinian city of Rafah and consequences of Israeli control over the Palestinian side to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and prevention of humanitarian aid entry.

Shoukry re-warned against the dire consequences of closing the Rafah crossing and continuing the Israeli wide-range attacks.

The Egyptian Minister told the US Secretary of State that the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza is vital and inevitable  after being halted over the past few days.

Shoukry added that the continuation of the military operation in Gaza and in Rafah in particular is a dangerous threat to the stability of the region.

Both ministers also renewed their rejection to any attempts of forced displacement of the Palestinians outside their country.

At the end of the phone call, Shoukry and Blinken agreed to continue consultations regarding the  developments in Gaza, support all ways to contain the crisis and prevent spillover of violence to any other parts in the region.