Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak used a live television address to answer the growing criticism against him from the Arab world, including allegations that he is collaborating with Israel against Hamas. Among the criticisms is that he has refused to open the border between Gaza and Egypt to allow besieged Gazans to enter Egypt. Mubarak said in his speech on Tuesday that he would not fully open the Rafah crossing point unless it is in the full control of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas. At the outset of fighting on Saturday, the Egyptian foreign minister said at a news conference that Hamas itself brought the Israeli onslaught onto Gaza through its incessant firing of rockets at the Jewish state. Many in the Arab world were furious that the Egyptian official criticized the Arab entity, Hamas, rather than the Israelis.