Egypt closes Rafah crossing amid safety concerns: Egypt FM

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry announced the closure of the Rafah Border Crossing with Gaza, citing its conversion into a site of “Israeli” military operations.

"The Rafah crossing was closed after it became a theater of military operations, and it was not appropriate to operate it to protect the lives of humanitarian workers and truck drivers," Shoukry explained.

Also Read: Egypt demands total “Israeli” withdrawal from Rafah crossing before opening it: Reports

Shoukry highlighted Egypt is still dedicated to facilitating the transfer of humanitarian aid through the Karem Abu Salem Crossing.

Meanwhile, at a joint press conference in Cairo with his Cypriot counterpart, Konstantinos Kombos, Shoukry expressed Egypt's appreciation for Cyprus's efforts to provide aid through maritime routes as additional support for humanitarian efforts.

Also Read: First aid ship headed for Gaza leaves Cyprus port

For his part, Kombos confirmed that the discussions were fruitful and aimed at enhancing bilateral relations.

He added that "the situation in the Gaza Strip was a major focus of the discussions, and we emphasize providing support to innocent civilians." He pointed to the necessity of adhering to UN resolutions and Cyprus's recognition of the Palestinian right to an independent state.