Egypt and Spain Reject Israeli Presence at Rafah Crossing

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that "the war in Gaza and military operations in Rafah must now stop." During a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, Albares urged for a ceasefire in accordance with the International Court of Justice's request, emphasizing that "all land crossings should be opened to deliver aid to Gaza." For his part, Shoukry stated, "We look forward to resolving the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital." He called on "Hamas and Israel to accept the proposed ceasefire." Shoukry stressed that Egypt "rejects any Israeli presence at the Rafah crossing," noting it is "difficult to operate the Rafah crossing without a Palestinian administration on the other side."