Egypt says it may withdraw from Gaza mediation in response to 'attempts to doubt its role'

Egypt says it may withdraw from mediating between Israel and Hamas to end the Gaza war amid efforts to "doubt its role".

The head of Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan told the state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV on Wednesday that it may "completely withdraw" from the mediation.

The public threat comes as the US steps up criticism of Egypt, with officials appearing to side with Israel over Cairo in a spat over who is responsible for the closure of Rafah’s border crossing.

The US and Israel have relied on Egypt to relay messages to Hamas’s armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades.

Current and former US officials and analysts say Israel and the US also need Egypt to destroy Hamas tunnels in Sinai and hunt for senior Hamas officials.