Egypt condemns Israel’s “dangerous escalation” over its Rafah crossing operation

Egypt’s foreign ministry condemned Israel on Tuesday for taking control of the Palestinian side of the key Rafah border crossing, calling the move a “dangerous escalation.”

The ministry said it threatened “the lives of more than a million Palestinians who depend primarily on this crossing as the main lifeline of the Gaza Strip.”

Israel’s military confirmed earlier that it had taken control of the Palestinian side of the crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a crucial entry point for humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. 

The facility is the only Gaza border crossing not controlled by Israel, and has served as the entry point for much of the limited humanitarian aid that has entered Gaza.

Egypt called on the Israeli side to exercise “the utmost levels of restraint” and “stay away” from policies that would threaten a potential truce.

Egypt is working with Qatar as mediators in talks for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.