Egyptian Army Says it is Aware of Risks Facing the State

Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
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Egyptian Army Says it is Aware of Risks Facing the State

Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Military forces are seen in North Sinai, Egypt, December 1, 2017. Picture taken December 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Egyptian Minister of Defense Mohamed Zaki affirmed Thursday that the armed forces are fully aware of the risks and challenges facing the country.

Zaki, who is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces, stressed the importance of self-discipline and maintaining combat readiness.

The Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf said that it dedicated Friday’s unified sermon at Egyptian mosques to combat rumours. Minister of Endowments Mohammed Mokhtar Jomaa asserted that the sermons aim to build national awareness, to face extremist thoughts and to foster coexistence.

This came as Mohammed Ali, an Egyptian actor and contractor residing in Spain, called for anti-regime protests in Egypt. Lawmakers intend to hold pro-government sit-ins to counter his call.

Last Friday and Saturday, Egypt witnessed rare and limited protests in some cities. The State Information Service called on international media to abide by “professional codes.”

A source from Awqaf told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Friday’s sermon will urge people to verify news before spreading them.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has on many occasions called for confronting extremist thoughts, the last of which was at the eighth National Youth Conference two weeks ago.

During the session on the local and regional experience of combating terrorism, Sisi affirmed that religious rhetoric should be on par with current times.



Trump Says Gaza Ceasefire Possible this Week or Next

US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Trump Says Gaza Ceasefire Possible this Week or Next

US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

US President Donald Trump said there is a "very good chance" of a ceasefire in Gaza this week or next, after meeting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation.

"We have a chance this week or next week," Trump told reporters.

Israel's military chief said on Wednesday "conditions have been created" for the advancement of a hostage release deal in Gaza, as indirect negotiations were under way between Israel and Hamas.

"We have achieved many significant results, we have caused great damage to the governance and military capabilities of Hamas," armed forces chief Eyal Zamir said in a televised speech.

"Thanks to the operational power that we have demonstrated, the conditions have been created to advance a deal to release the hostages."

Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his meeting with Trump focused on freeing the hostages held in Gaza, and stressed his determination to "eliminate" the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas.