Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and Hamas denied reports of a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office denied reports of any temporary Gaza ceasefire to allow foreign nationals to flee the enclave to neighboring Egypt.
Media reports had said Israel, Egypt, and the United States had agreed the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt would be opened for several hours Monday in a one-off move to allow foreign nationals to flee and aid goods to enter.
But Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “There is currently no ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza in return for removing foreigners.”
Aid convoys have waited on the Egyptian side but, according to witnesses, had not left the town of El-Arish, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Rafah on Monday.
“The border crossings are closed, and there has been no decision” regarding the passage of humanitarian aid, stated Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, during a press briefing on Monday.
Izzat al-Rishq, head of Hamas’ media bureau, also stated that there is “no truth” in these reports circulating in some media.”
With AFP
