Egypt denies allegations that it changed terms in the prisoner exchange deal and threatens to withdraw from the mediation

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Egypt denied the charges against it of changing the terms of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, and threatened to withdraw from the mediation.

Cairo News Channel quoted Diaa Rashwan, head of the Egyptian Presidency’s State Information Service, as saying, on Wednesday, that there is no truth to what the American CNN network reported about Egypt “silently” moving to “change” the terms of a proposed ceasefire signed by Israel. Indeed, earlier this May, which ultimately led to the “abort” of the deal.

CNN published a report in which it quoted informed sources, which it did not name, that Egyptian intelligence “silently changed the terms of the ceasefire proposal that Israel had already signed earlier this month, which ultimately led to thwarting the deal.”

Rashwan stressed that "CNN's claims are false and devoid of any information or facts," stressing that "attempts to cast doubt on and insult Egypt's mediation role will only further complicate the situation in Gaza and the entire region, and may push it to withdraw from the mediation role in the current conflict."

Rashwan also stressed that “Egypt is an honest mediator who sides with international law and international humanitarian law,” and stated that “reality belies the Israeli allegations” in this regard, as “Egyptian efforts (in mediation) are clear to everyone.”

Although Hamas announced, on May 6, its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange with Israel, which is the proposal that CNN intended in its claims, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the movement’s position aims to “to blow up the entry of our forces into the city of Rafah.” ", and "far from the necessary requirements" of Tel Aviv.

On the same day, Israel announced the launch of a military operation in Rafah, controlling the Palestinian side of the Rafah land crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, and preventing the entry of relief aid through it.

But Rashwan confirmed that the Rafah crossing was not closed on the Egyptian side, blaming Israel for obstructing the entry of aid into Gaza, and pointed out that “Egypt confirmed that it will not deal with Israel at the Rafah crossing because it is an occupying authority, and requires the presence of a Palestinian party to deliver aid on the Palestinian side.” From the Rafah crossing.

He stressed that "Egypt has taken a strong position against the displacement of Palestinians... a position that is supported by the entire world."

Earlier Wednesday, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said that his country "calls for not paying attention to media reports that attempt to cast doubt on the ongoing mediation efforts to stop the aggression against Gaza."

He revealed that "Qatar's joint mediation efforts with Egypt and the United States are continuing," stressing that "the three countries are working in full coordination to reach an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and exchange prisoners and detainees."

Egypt, Qatar, and the United States are leading indirect mediation between Hamas and Israel, which resulted in a truce that lasted for a week until the beginning of last December, while efforts to conclude a new truce faltered as a result of Israel’s control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing on May 7.

Since October 7, the Gaza Strip has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war with American support, which has resulted in the death and injury of tens of thousands of Palestinians, most of whom are women and children.