Egypt’s army chief of staff, Ahmed Khalifa, made a surprise visit to inspect the security situation on the border with Gaza, the armed forces spokesman said.
The military published a video showing Mr Khalifa speaking with soldiers on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, where he listened to soldiers’ views and questions.
Mr Khalifa stressed that “the main task of the armed forces is to protect the country’s borders,” according to the video.
The visit comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently vowed that Israel will not give up control of the Philadelphi Corridor (Philadelphi Route), a 14-kilometre strip on the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.
Egypt has been trying to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza ruler Hamas.
Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has repeatedly rejected Israeli presence at the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor and demands that Israel withdraw its troops.
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