Strong Egyptian Warnings and International Accusations Against Israel Over Aid Obstruction
Rafah, North Sinai – By Ashraf Gaber
It seems the entire world has turned its attention to the Rafah Crossing, now viewed as Gaza’s last remaining lifeline amid unprecedented suffering for over two million Palestinians facing an escalating humanitarian catastrophe caused by ongoing Israeli assaults.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Palestinian Prime Minister in front of the crossing
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa delivered a joint message from the Rafah crossing, rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians or demographic change in Gaza, and warning against what they described as a “scorched earth” policy. Abdelatty said Cairo had engaged with countries reportedly approached for resettlement plans, all of which rejected any move to undermine Palestinian statehood.
The Egyptian minister signaled readiness to join any UN-mandated international force in Gaza, provided it operates under a clear political framework, stressing that deployments without a pathway to peace “make no sense.” He also criticized current aid distribution through the so‑called “Gaza Foundation” as inhumane and unlawful, urging restoration of UNRWA’s central role to ensure dignified and efficient relief delivery.
Mustafa hailed Egypt’s role as a “fortress” against displacement schemes and confirmed that the Palestinian government remains the sole authority to govern Gaza. He announced plans for a temporary administrative committee to manage the territory and called for an end to starvation tactics, insisting that Rafah must serve as a gateway to life, not suffering.
The joint appearance, attended by Egypt’s Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsi, underscored Cairo’s humanitarian and political alignment with the Palestinian cause.
Revealing statements by the Governor of North Sinai in front of the crossing (Video)
In an exclusive interview with the Italian magazine “Ponte Sud” Major General Dr. Khaled Mogawer, Governor of North Sinai (widely cited by regional and international media outlets), issued a stern warning to Israel against any encroachment on Egypt’s borders, affirming that Egypt’s response “would surprise the entire world.” The Governor described the situation as “arbitrary conduct by the occupier,” noting daily negotiations over every aid shipment around the clock, amidst mounting international pressure, including France and other countries moving to recognize the State of Palestine, and countries like Jordan, the UAE, Germany, and Spain participating in airdrops as part of relief efforts.
This strong warning comes amid rising regional tensions, as the crossing has become a symbol of Gaza’s humanitarian suffering, with thousands of aid trucks piling up on the borders due to Israeli obstacles. According to reports from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Israel bears full responsibility for blocking aid, exacerbating the crisis of hunger and disease in the Strip.
In its June 2025 report, UNRWA pointed to the intensification of Israeli military operations following the collapse of the ceasefire in March, which led to the suspension of aid shipments through the main crossing. It affirmed that thousands of trucks loaded with food and medicine are awaiting Israeli authorities’ permission to enter.
Current Situation: Rafah as a Key Point for Addressing the Humanitarian Disaster
The Rafah crossing, which connects Gaza to Egypt, is the only remaining route for aid entry after other Israeli crossings were closed. However, the Strip is facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, with every home suffering from hunger, as the Palestinian Authority warned in a statement issued in August 2025, calling for international pressure on Israel to open the crossings and lift its control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing.
Human Rights Watch reports in November 2024 (extended to 2025) described the situation as “desperate, hungry, and besieged,” noting that the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza relies on the restriction of aid as a weapon.
The International Organization for Refugees also reported that Israel systematically obstructs relief operations, leading to the backlog of thousands of trucks on the Egyptian border.
Last July, Israel announced “temporary humanitarian pauses,” allowing some trucks to enter through Rafah, as documented by photos showing trucks entering Gaza under Egyptian supervision. However, despite strenuous Egyptian efforts, the situation remains fragile, with looting and chaos resulting from Israeli control leading to the suspension of some shipments, as the United Nations reported in December 2024 (with the problem continuing into 2025). Social media circulating images and testimonies from Gaza depicting widespread hunger, with hashtags like #RafahCrossing and #GazaAid revealing thousands of stranded trucks, reflecting growing international outrage against Israel’s criminal behavior.
Egypt’s Arduous Efforts: Diplomacy and Relief in the Face of Obstacles
Egypt has intensified its efforts to facilitate the entry of aid, as confirmed by the Governor of North Sinai in the interview, with daily negotiations with the Israeli side over every box until 6 PM, and refurbishing rejected shipments.
In a written response submitted to the International Court of Justice in May 2025, Egypt documented Israel’s refusal to admit all aid in March, which compelled Cairo to coordinate with other countries to deliver relief by air, land, and sea.
Egypt has taken part in international initiatives such as the “Diplomatic Humanitarian Convoy” in May 2025, which called to break the blockade and end the use of hunger as a weapon.
Egypt pushed hard to allow the entry of relief trucks, as occurred throughout July 2025 when Israel accepted a temporary pause, allowing aid to enter under Egyptian supervision, as documented in international reports.
However, Egypt continues to face immense obstacles, including security pressures on its border, with the Governor warning against any Israeli approach and affirming Egypt’s readiness to defend its sovereignty.
Testimonies from International Organizations: Israel Bears Full Responsibility
International organizations such as UNRWA assign full responsibility to Israel for blocking aid, worsening Gaza’s hunger and health crisis. In a July 2025 statement, UNRWA welcomed the temporary humanitarian pauses but expressed hope that thousands of trucks loaded with food and medicines would be allowed in, holding Israel responsible for previous disruptions.
UNRWA also issued a June report naming the escalation of Israeli operations as the principal reason for suspended relief.
Doctors Without Borders denounced earlier this year Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA, considering it a devastating blow to humanitarian relief.
The International Medical Relief Agency documented in July 2025 how Israeli restrictions on medical supplies, from morphine to surgical scalpel handles, led to avoidable deaths.
The Palestinian legal rights group “Al-Haq” confirmed that obstructing aid is part of an Israeli genocidal campaign.
A report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tracked goods movement through the crossings, noting a significant drop in shipments due to Israeli control.
Conclusion: Call for International Action
As the war continues, Rafah Crossing remains a fragile lifeline for Gaza’s people, alongside Egypt’s tireless diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. International testimonies confirm Israel’s responsibility for the disaster, calling for immediate opening of all crossings. With broad engagement across digital platforms and media, global pressure is mounting to end this suffering, and hopes grow for a lasting ceasefire to restore hope to the devastated Strip.
