Egypt refutes claims of departure of US plane from Sharm El Sheikh Airport for spy mission over Palestinian-Egyptian border

CAIRO – 21 July 2024: A senior Egyptian official refutes media claims of an American intelligence plane departing from the Sharm El-Sheikh Airport for surveillance flights over the Palestinian-Egyptian border, as reported by Al Qahera News on Sunday.

Russia Now alleges that the American intelligence plane "Beech C-12U3 Huron" has taken off from Sharm El-Sheikh Airport in Egypt to conduct intelligence and reconnaissance missions over the Palestinian-Egyptian border.

Another claim refuted

A high-level Egyptian source has denied Israeli media reports alleging agreements and understandings with Israel concerning the Salah El Din Corridor [Route] (aka Philadelphia Corridor.)

The Egyptian official stated: "All Israeli claims regarding the Philadelphia Corridor are part of Israel's attempts to divert attention from its continued military setbacks in the Gaza Strip."

Furthermore, the source emphasized Egypt's insistence on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to facilitate its reactivation.

The source reiterated Egypt's stance on the necessity of a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphia Corridor.

Israeli media claimed that Washington has submitted a proposal regarding the Philadelphia Corridor. The proposal includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas that were recently occupied by Israel in accordance with the truce deal proposal.

The proposal also includes installing above-ground and underground technological means to prevent “weapons smuggling.” Furthermore, the US proposal includes managing the Rafah crossing through international bodies and assisting Palestinians who have nothing to do with Hamas.