Arab countries condemn Netanyahu's statements, label them attempt to obstruct crisis resolution

CAIRO – 4 September 2024: Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, the Palestinian Presidency, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the Arab Parliament condemned Tuesday and Wednesday the allegations made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against Egypt, describing them as an attempt to obstruct ceasefire talks and intensify armed escalation in the Middle East.

Egypt expressed Tuesday its absolute rejection to the statements made by Netanyahu on Monday alleging Egypt of allowing the smuggling of arms to Hamas through Philadelphi Corridor lying in Gaza Strip alongside the Egyptian borders. 

The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Netanyahu of attempting to distract the Israeli public opinion, and cripple negotiations – mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States - on achieving a ceasefire and captive-exchange. 

The ministry stressed that Egypt holds the Israeli government accountable for the implications of such statements embodied in worsening the crisis, as they are a justification for the aggression and incitement policy that leads to more regional escalation.

The statement reaffirmed Egypt's eagerness for continuing its historical role in leading the peace process in the Middle East in preservation of security and stability.

The Israeli prime minister insisted in his speech that the Israeli forces would not withdraw from Philadelphi Corridor stretching on 14 kilometers from Karm Abou Salem Border Crossing with Egypt in the South to the Mediterranean Sea in the North.

"Egypt stresses the fundamentals and framework of any future peace agreement, and those are mainly the rejection of any Israeli presence in Philadelphi corridor or Rafah Border Crossing," an Egyptian high-profile source told Al Qahera News Monday.

Further, the source stated that the Israeli government was accountable for not reaching a truce agreement, and that it had been attempting to impose a new reality to cover up its internal crisis.