Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments

Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments
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Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments

Egyptian, US Presidents Discuss Regional Developments

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries, in addition to regional developments.

Sisi received a phone call from Trump on Thursday, according to Egyptian presidency spokesperson Bassam Rady.

"President Trump stressed the value of the fruitful partnership and constructive cooperation between the United States and Egypt, and the centrality of the mutual understanding between the two countries in enhancing security and stability in the Middle East region."

The spokesman affirmed that for his part, "President Sisi expressed during the call his gratitude and appreciation for President Trump's efforts and contributions in consolidating the extended friendship between the two countries," wishing "all the best and prosperity for the United States of America and its friendly people."

According to Rady, "the telephone call dealt with exchanging views and appreciation regarding the developments of a number of regional issues of common interest, as well as discussing some issues of bilateral cooperation relations between Egypt and the United States."

During a phone call last June, Trump had expressed to his Egyptian counterpart Washington’s commitment to "facilitating reaching a fair agreement” on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

In November 2019, the United States sought to mediate an agreement between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on the rules of filling and operating the dam.

However, no agreement was reached, although Washington pushed towards signing an agreement, which Egypt considered "fair and balanced."

At the time, Ethiopia accused the US of "not acting diplomatically."

The African Union is sponsoring the latest round of the discussions.



Gaza's Health Ministry Says the Palestinian Death Toll from the War Has Surpassed 46,000

People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
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Gaza's Health Ministry Says the Palestinian Death Toll from the War Has Surpassed 46,000

People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
People search the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli strike on the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on January 8, 2025 as the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continues. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza's Health Ministry said Thursday, as the conflict raged into a 16th month with no end in sight.
The ministry said a total of 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 wounded. It has said women and children make up more than half the fatalities, but does not say how many of the dead were fighters or civilians, said The Associated Press.
The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. It says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the militants operate in residential areas. Israel has also repeatedly struck what it claims are militants hiding in shelters and hospitals, often killing women and children.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza. Israeli authorities believe at least a third of them were killed in the initial attack or have died in captivity.
The war has flattened large areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of its 2.3 million people, with many forced to flee multiple times. Hundreds of thousands are packed into sprawling tent camps along the coast with limited access to food and other essentials.
In recent weeks, Israel and Hamas have appeared to inch closer to an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. But the indirect talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have repeatedly stalled over the past year, and major obstacles remain.