Egyptian official: Israeli claims of weapons smuggling to Gaza a cover-up for captive release failure

CAIRO – 14 July 2024: An Egyptian high-level source has refuted Israel's claims of weapons smuggling to Gaza, stating that they serve as a cover-up for the failure to release captives or make any progress in achieving war objectives.

The source emphasized that the Israeli government is pursuing a policy of starving the citizens of the Gaza Strip and committing genocide to maintain its hold on power, as reported by Extra News.

Furthermore, the source confirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip, ensuring freedom of movement for its residents, and securing the Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah Border Crossing.

Controlling Rafah crossing

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports of plans to withdraw forces from the Gaza Strip, stating that Israel would remain in control of the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egyptian-Gazan border.

Netanyahu presented a list of essential demands, including preventing weapons smuggling to Hamas from Egypt through Israeli control of the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing.

Previously, an Egyptian source categorically denied Israeli claims of involvement in any smuggling attempts between Egyptian and Palestinian territories.

In late May, the source also rejected Israeli "lies" regarding the existence of tunnels along the Egypt-Gaza border, as reported by Al Qahera News.

Egypt has consistently expressed its objection to the Israeli presence in Gaza, particularly in Rafah city and the Philadelphi Corridor.

The Israeli takeover of the crucial crossing on May 7 resulted in its blockage, with Egypt affirming its refusal to coordinate aid delivery through the crossing with Israel.

In mid-May, Egypt rejected an Israeli proposal for joint Egyptian-Israeli coordination in controlling the Rafah crossing, emphasizing that the Palestinian side of the crossing must be managed by the Palestinian side, according to Reuters.

Truce talks hindrance

Ceasefire negotiations are currently in progress, involving top negotiators from Egypt, Israel, and the United States, with the aim of reaching an agreement to halt hostilities in Gaza after nine months of Israeli military operations.

While Hamas has shown readiness to compromise on its long-standing demand for a permanent ceasefire as a precondition for any deal, Israel has insisted that hostilities will not cease until all its war objectives are achieved.

During a press conference on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the goals of eliminating the military and governing capabilities of Hamas and securing the release of all captives taken by Hamas on October 7.

He stated that the war will not end until Israel ensures that Gaza no longer poses a threat and safely returns the settlers of the south and the north to their communities.

A high-level Egyptian source on Saturday called on Israel to refrain from hindering the ongoing ceasefire talks in Gaza by introducing new principles that contradict the previously agreed-upon terms.

Netanyahu's demands include allowing Israel to resume the war until all its objectives are achieved in any captive release agreement.

Since October 7, a devastating toll of 38,345 lives lost and 88,295 injuries has been inflicted upon the people of Gaza due to Israeli strikes.

Moreover, Gaza has suffered extensive destruction of its vital infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and other crucial facilities, leaving the region on the brink of a famine.

In the most recent tragic incident, an Israeli air attack targeted the Al-Mawasi refugee camp in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, on Saturday.

The assault resulted in the loss of 90 lives, with half of the victims being women and children, as reported by the Gaza health ministry. Additionally, 300 others sustained injuries, some of which were severe.

Cairo has condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling on Israel to "cease its disregard for the lives of innocent civilians and to uphold the necessary humanitarian standards."