Egypt’s respect for treaties does not prevent it from using “all scenarios to preserve its national security and the historical rights of Palestinians”, the state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV quoted what it termed a high-level source as saying.

According to Reuters, it said the offensive in Rafah is preventing the use of the Rafah crossing for deliveries of badly needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Egyptian security sources said Egypt opposed Israel’s presence there and wants it to withdraw.

Egypt has presented its opposition to displacement as a defence of Palestinians’ historical rights.