Cairo Asserts Keenness to Bolster Strategic Ties with Washington

Mashat during talks with the USAID Administrator. (Egyptian government)
Mashat during talks with the USAID Administrator. (Egyptian government)
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Cairo Asserts Keenness to Bolster Strategic Ties with Washington

Mashat during talks with the USAID Administrator. (Egyptian government)
Mashat during talks with the USAID Administrator. (Egyptian government)

Egypt and the United States celebrated on Thursday the 100th anniversary of establishing their diplomatic ties.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez underlined in a tweet Cairo’s keenness to bolster strategic ties with the US and between their peoples.

In a tweet, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he gifted Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry with the 1922 telegrams congratulating Egypt on its independence to mark the centennial strategic partnership between the two countries.

Separately, Minister of International Cooperation Rania al-Mashat held talks with the Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power, on the sidelines of their participation in the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Mashat underscored the depth and importance of the more than four-decade bilateral economic relations, which resulted in the signing of development agreements and financing amounting to more than $30 billion, all of which contributed to supporting development efforts in key areas.

She said the agreements signed between the two countries since 2014 amount to about one billion dollars in various strategic sectors. These include basic education, higher education, health, and governance, as well as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism, and agriculture.

She further indicated that the continuous efforts for economic cooperation resulted in seven grant agreements worth $130 million in 2021.

The meeting comes in line with the strategic economic relations between Cairo and Washington, represented in the cooperation with the USAID, Mashat stated.

They discussed various joint development efforts and the implemented economic reforms in Egypt, as well as the climate action efforts, women empowerment, and civil society organizations.

Mashat referred to the ongoing talks between the two sides in light of the continuous economic ties and the agreements expected to be signed this year.

In 2021, the trade exchange between the two countries amounted to more than eight billion dollars, while US investments in Egypt amount to more than $24 billion.



Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hamas Delays Leadership Vote

A man cuts wood among the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, February 17, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
A man cuts wood among the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, February 17, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hamas Delays Leadership Vote

A man cuts wood among the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, February 17, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
A man cuts wood among the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, February 17, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

The fragile truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has prompted the Palestinian group to delay electing a new leader for its political bureau, sources within the movement told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Hamas had initially planned to hold the election following last month's ceasefire in the enclave, but internal assessments led to a postponement, the sources said.

Since Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July 2024, followed by the killing of his successor Yahya Sinwar in October—reportedly by coincidence—the group has been operating under a “leadership council” structure.

The council is headed by Mohammed Darwish, a previously low-profile figure within Hamas who rarely appears in the media. Senior official Khalil al-Hayya has also emerged as a key representative, frequently leading the group’s delegations.

Hamas leaders agree on the need to elect or appoint a new head for the group’s political bureau in Gaza, sources affirmed.

Al-Hayya has been effectively filling the role on a temporary basis, they said.

However, an election does not necessarily mean he will step aside. Instead, he could remain in the position under a structure endorsed by Hamas institutions and leadership at all levels, sources added.

Hamas’ leadership council will continue to make key decisions as political and security conditions delay elections, they explained.

In short, the latest developments forced Hamas to postpone its leadership vote. That is why the current leadership council will remain in charge until a stable political and security environment allows for elections.

On the governmental level, the sources said efforts are underway to restructure Gaza’s administrative framework, particularly to manage key files and appoint an interim figure to lead governance until an agreement on the enclave’s future is reached.

Hamas’ involvement in shaping Gaza’s future remains a complex issue on local, regional, and international levels, as efforts continue to solidify a fragile truce with Israel.

Sources within the movement also revealed that Hamas is willing to show “maximum flexibility” to push forward with the ceasefire agreement, advance to the next phase of negotiations, and ultimately end the war.