Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi confirmed that the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has shifted from a mission to release hostages to a campaign of starvation and genocide, aimed at eradicating the Palestinian cause.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, President El-Sisi made these remarks during a press conference with Vietnamese President Luong Cong, who is visiting Cairo. El-Sisi emphasized that the lives of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are being manipulated as political tools, while the international community observes the situation passively.

The Egyptian President reiterated that Egypt will continue to serve as a conduit for humanitarian aid into Gaza, refusing to become a channel for the displacement of Palestinians. He affirmed that Egypt’s stance on this issue remains steadfast.

El-Sisi warned that history will hold many nations accountable for their roles in the Gaza conflict and that global humanitarian conscience will eventually demand action. He noted that discussions about Egypt’s involvement in facilitating aid to Gaza have intensified, pointing out that Gaza is accessible to Israel through five other crossings apart from the Rafah crossing, which Egypt has kept open consistently.

He detailed how the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing has been destroyed multiple times during the conflict, with Egypt repairing it each time. However, Israeli control over the Palestinian side of the crossing has hindered aid delivery, despite Egypt’s efforts to keep it operational.

Addressing claims that Egypt has blocked aid, El-Sisi dismissed them as nonsensical, emphasizing that aid can enter as long as Israeli forces are not present on the Palestinian side. He highlighted Egypt’s ongoing collaboration with partners like Qatar and the United States to halt the conflict, facilitate aid access, and secure hostage releases, efforts that have been underway since October 7, 2023.

President Sisi concluded by underscoring Egypt’s consistent aim to manage and de-escalate the crisis in Gaza, cognizant of the dire humanitarian toll on its people. Egypt seeks to maintain peace and cease the conflict, acknowledging the severe humanitarian situation faced by Gaza’s residents.