Sisi Tells British PM that Egypt Upholds its Historic Rights of Nile Water

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
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Sisi Tells British PM that Egypt Upholds its Historic Rights of Nile Water

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. EPA

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reiterated to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Egypt’s position of wanting to ensure its water security and upholding its “historic rights of Nile water."

During a telephone call on Tuesday, the Egyptian president called on the international community to continue supporting the negotiation process to reach a comprehensive, just, and legally binding agreement on the filling and operating rules of the GERD.

The two leaders discussed trade, investment cooperation, health and security, and efforts to combat terrorism, while also exchanging views on the latest developments in the GERD crisis, official spokesperson for the Presidency Bassam Rady said.

They agreed on boosting cooperation in the security, military, and intelligence fields, especially in terms of counterterrorism efforts and efforts to face illegal immigration and secure borders.

Sisi and Johnson agreed to maximize cooperation in the health sector in a way that achieves the maximum benefit from the British excellence in this field. This coincides with the need for solidarity against the coronavirus pandemic. It includes training specialized medical cadres, cooperation in manufacturing the coronavirus vaccines, and accurate exchange of information to organize traveling between the two countries.

They also discussed collaboration on climate change, with the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow at the end of the year, and the need to support developing countries in obtaining funding, as well as technological and technical support, to tackle the issue.

The two leaders also highlighted developments in Palestine and the importance of maintaining the cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian factions.

Meanwhile, Johnson praised the role Egypt plays in mediating between the parties, and its allocation of $500 million for reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip.



Hamas Says 33 Hostages Killed in Course of War in Gaza

Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)
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Hamas Says 33 Hostages Killed in Course of War in Gaza

Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers play football near tanks and armored personnel carrier (APC), amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, near the Israel-Gaza border, in Israel, June 2, 2024. (Reuters)

Hamas said on Monday that 33 hostages in Gaza had been killed during the almost 14-month-old war between the Palestinian group and Israel in the enclave, without giving their nationalities.

Hamas added that other hostages had gone missing.

"With the continuation of your crazy war," it said in a statement addressed to Israel, "you could lose your hostages forever. Do what you have to do before it is too late."

Hamas shortly afterward published a video it said detailed when and how the hostages had been killed, blaming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their fate.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment, which came as Israeli military strikes continued in Gaza.

Hamas has called for an end to the war and total Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as part of any deal to release remaining hostages. Netanyahu has said the war will go on until Hamas is eradicated and poses no more threat to Israel.

Israel launched its war after Hamas-led fighters attacked Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's military offensive has killed more than 44,400 Palestinians and displaced most of Gaza's population, Gaza officials say. Vast swathes of the enclave lie in ruins.

The Israeli military said Monday an Israeli American soldier who was believed to have been taken hostage alive on Oct. 7, 2023, is now presumed to have been killed during Hamas’ attack and his body taken into Gaza.  

Neutra, 21, was a New York native who enlisted in the Israeli military and was captured when Hamas attacked southern Israel.  

Neutra’s parents, Ronen and Orna, led a public campaign while he was thought to be alive for their son’s freedom. They spoke at protests in the US and Israel, addressed the Republican National Convention this year and kept up ties with the Biden administration in their crusade to secure their son’s release.  

In a statement announcing the death, the military did not say how it came to the conclusion over Neutra’s fate.  

He was one of seven American Israelis still held in Gaza, four of whom are now said to be dead. Hamas released a video of one, Edan Alexander, over the weekend, indicating he was still alive.  

In late summer, Hamas killed Hersh Goldberg-Polin, another prominent Israeli American hostage, along with five other captives, whose bodies the Israeli military recovered.