CAIRO, May 12 — Egypt has refused to coordinate with Israel on the entry of aid into Gaza from the Rafah crossing due to Israel’s "unacceptable escalation”, Egypt’s state affiliated Alqahera News satellite TV reported yesterday, citing a senior official.

The official also said that Egypt held Israel responsible for the deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip.

On May 7, Israeli forces seized the main border crossing at Rafah, closing a vital route for aid into the besieged enclave.

The United Nations and other international aid agencies said the closing of the two crossings into southern Gaza — Rafah and Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom — had virtually cut the enclave off from outside aid and very few stores were available inside.

Red Crescent sources in Egypt said shipments had completely halted. — Reuters