Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to allow the entry of trucks into Gaza on Saturday [Getty]
Egyptian officials expressed their frustrations with Israel’s handling of the Gaza ceasefire during a meeting between officials from the countries on Saturday, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.
The New Arab‘s Arabic-language sister site said that the discontent in Cairo came to a head after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to allow the entry of temporary houses and heavy equipment to Gaza.
Hamas had previously threatened to postpone the release of the sixth batch of Israeli captives on Saturday, citing Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar.
The Palestinian group went ahead with the captive release, after which Israel was due to allow the entry of heavy equipment and temporary dwellings.
Egyptian sources cited by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed said that Egyptian officials were notified by their Israeli counterparts that trucks would enter Gaza on Saturday evening. The Egyptians, however, were taken by surprise when Israel refused the entry of trucks.
Egyptian intelligence head Major General Hassan Rashad then contacted officials in the US, stressing that Israel’s actions are jeopardising Egypt’s mediation efforts, particularly after they helped ensure that a US citizen would be released in the sixth batch of Israeli captives.
According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, this has now left the next release of Israeli captives – slated for Saturday – hanging in the balance.
The Israeli refusal came after an Israeli security meeting headed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which it was decided that the heavy machinery and caravan homes would not be permitted to enter, according to Israeli media reports.
Gaza’s government media office said on Sunday morning that Israel has yet to commit to allowing the equipment in.
