Egypt Parliament to Discuss Monday Sending Troops to Libya

President Sisi chairs a meeting of the national defense council. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi chairs a meeting of the national defense council. (Egyptian presidency)
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Egypt Parliament to Discuss Monday Sending Troops to Libya

President Sisi chairs a meeting of the national defense council. (Egyptian presidency)
President Sisi chairs a meeting of the national defense council. (Egyptian presidency)

The Egyptian parliament is expected to meet on Monday to discuss President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s decision to send troops to Libya.

The president, who is also commander of the armed forces, needs the approval of two-thirds of lawmakers and a recommendation from the national defense council before sending forces on foreign combat missions.

Sisi chaired on Sunday a meeting for the council to discuss the developments in Libya as part of Egypt’s efforts to “maintain the current frontlines” and prevent any side from crossing the declared red lines, in order to preserve peace between all Libyan parties.

Last month, the president had declared that the cities of Sirte and Jufra were “red lines” that must not be crossed. Any move on these cities would force Egypt to intervene to safeguard its national security, he added.

Sunday’s defense council meeting included the parliament speaker, prime minister, defense and military production minister, armed forces commander, navy and air force commanders, head of general intelligence, and the ministers of foreign affairs, finance and interior.

In a statement, the presidency said the council underscored that Egypt “will not spare an effort” in supporting Libya and helping its people overcome their crisis. Libya is among the “top priorities of Cairo’s foreign policy” and its security is “integral to Egyptian and Arab national security.”

It expressed its commitment to the political solution to the crisis that would ensure Libya’s sovereignty and national unity, restoration of state institutions and “elimination of terrorism and criminal and extremist militias.” The solution would put an end to “illegal meddling” in Libyan internal affairs that are only exacerbating the crisis and “threatening neighboring countries and international peace.”



Hamas Says It Is Engaged in ‘Fierce Fighting’ in Gaza’s Rafah

Palestinian men walk near rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, March 13, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinian men walk near rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, March 13, 2025. (Reuters)
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Hamas Says It Is Engaged in ‘Fierce Fighting’ in Gaza’s Rafah

Palestinian men walk near rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, March 13, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinian men walk near rubble of houses destroyed during the Israeli offensive, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, March 13, 2025. (Reuters)

Hamas fighters were engaged in "fierce fighting" with Israeli soldiers on Thursday in the south of the Gaza Strip near Rafah, the Palestinian group said.

The statement, issued on Telegram, suggests that Hamas is still active in areas where the Israeli military has expanded its control, more than 19 months after the start of Israel's air and ground campaign in Gaza.

In a later statement, it said fighters ambushed an Israeli 12-man force inside a house in the Tanur neighborhood in the eastern Rafah area with two anti-personnel and anti-armor rockets, killing and wounding several soldiers.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on the Hamas claim.

The group has rarely reported fighting around Rafah in recent months, with most clashes reported in the eastern area of the nearby city of Khan Younis and northern parts of the coastal territory.

Israel said earlier this month it would further extend its offensive in Gaza.

Israel resumed its offensive in March after the collapse of a fragile, US-backed ceasefire that had halted fighting for six weeks.