The Egyptian president has accused Israel of trying to avoid its obligations to Gaza.

Addressing Egyptian MPs in Cairo, President Hosni Mubarak said: "Israel is trying to shirk its responsibility to Gaza and throw it at Egypt.”

President Mubarak said Israel was not working towards peace with the Palestinians but was trying to "perpetuate internal Palestinian divisions".

And despite Israel’s announcement that the blockade of Gaza would be largely eased, he said only Egypt was "investing all of [its] efforts” in stopping the restrictions.

Egypt also closed its borders to Gaza after Hamas won power in the area in 2007, although restrictions were lifted in the aftermath of the flotilla clash.