Egypt rejects any changes to Rafah crossing operation rules: FM

CAIRO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) — Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated on Wednesday that Egypt will not accept any changes to the operational rules at the Rafah crossing that were in place prior to the Israeli war in Gaza, particularly those affecting the Palestinian side.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Cairo with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s rejection of any military presence along the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor.
The two diplomats stressed the necessity of achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as the best means to ensure regional stability, noting that important unresolved issues remain concerning the ceasefire agreement. They asserted that resolving these issues depends on political will.
Blinken’s visit to Egypt marks his 10th trip to the Middle East since Israel launched a large-scale offensive on Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, in response to a surprise Hamas attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 hostages taken.
His visit occurs amid concerns of a broader regional conflict, as Israel has threatened to shift its military focus from Gaza to Lebanon following an 11-month-long conflict. ■