Egypt hits back, saying Israel is responsible for the humanitarian crisis 

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry responded today (Tuesday) to Foreign Minister Katz's claim that Egypt held the "key" to resolving the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, saying "Israel is trying to blame Egypt for the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, but this is a result of Israeli attacks on the Palestinians."

He added that "Israel needs to take responsibility and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip via the crossings under its control. The IDF operation in the Rafah crossing and the seizure of it are the main reason for its closing."

Foreign Minister Israel Katz had previously announced on X that he had spoken with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the need to persuade Egypt to reopen the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing to humanitarian aid.

Katz said that "The world places the responsibility for the humanitarian situation on Israel, but the key to preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza is now in the hands of our Egyptian friends."

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also asked the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to reopen the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian side to allow the introduction of more supplies into the Strip, according to reporter Ariel Kahana.