Egypt Rejects Israeli Troop Presence at Gaza Border Amid Ceasefire Talks

Egypt refuses to allow Israeli troops at its Gaza border and demands a return to pre-war security terms. The stance is amid ongoing ceasefire talks, where the presence of Israeli forces remains a contentious issue. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the necessity of an Israeli withdrawal and the restoration of Palestinian control.

Egypt has made it clear that it will not permit Israeli troops to remain on its border with Gaza, nor accept any alterations to pre-existing security arrangements, according to Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. His statement came on Wednesday during a press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The security situation at the border, particularly the Philadelphi Corridor, has become a significant point of contention in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. Israeli troops entered the corridor in May, leading to the closure of the Rafah crossing and a drastic reduction in humanitarian aid and medical evacuations from Gaza.

As a mediator in the ceasefire talks, Egypt insists that Israel must withdraw its troops and restore Palestinian presence at the Rafah crossing. Abdelatty expressed frustration over new demands that have hindered an agreement, blaming a specific party for a lack of political will. He affirmed that Hamas remains committed to a ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden but criticized subsequent Israeli demands.

Both Abdelatty and Blinken warned that any further escalation, such as the recent explosions in Lebanon, could derail the negotiations and potentially ignite a broader conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)