Japanese PM to Visit Egypt

Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) (Egyptian Government)
Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) (Egyptian Government)
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Japanese PM to Visit Egypt

Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) (Egyptian Government)
Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) (Egyptian Government)

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to visit Egypt on Saturday as part of an African tour to discuss regional developments.

The Prime Minister will discuss with senior Egyptian officials ways to promote cooperation between the two countries in various fields, namely renewable energy, food, agriculture, education, and tourism.

The meetings will also address regional and global challenges and the ways to confront them.

Japanese Ambassador to Cairo Oka Hiroshi, confirmed that the Japanese Prime Minister's visit comes within the framework of the continued efforts by both countries to achieve sustainable development and regional and international cooperation and to enhance regional security and stability.

The ambassador told the MENA news agency that Kishida will start his Middle East and Africa trip with his Egypt visit, reflecting the importance of the relations between the two countries.

The visit aims to promote cooperation between the two countries, said Hiroshi, adding that Japan considers Egypt an essential partner in the Middle East and Africa.

He said it also comes amid the growing strategic importance of the partnership between the two countries in facing regional, economic, and security challenges.

According to the ambassador, bilateral economic relations have witnessed remarkable development recently, as Japan is one of Egypt's most important trade partners.

Japan's foreign direct investments in Egypt doubled last year, and Japanese companies seek to explore business opportunities in Egypt.

Japan also provides financial and technical support for development projects in Egypt and works to achieve sustainable development.

The Japanese ambassador pointed out that Egypt is an essential partner for Japan in the Middle East, as it enjoys a strategic location and has significant natural resources, especially in renewable energy, and a high level of local manpower.

He said Egypt is also a gateway to trade and investment in the region.

In August last year, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly participated in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) summit. He affirmed that the African continent is facing "severe economic challenges."

During his speech at the summit, Madbouly urged the international community to support African national agricultural policy goals to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainable development. He cautioned against the impact of a food crisis on peace and security.

Madbouly also reiterated that real economic development requires boosting peace and security and adopting a comprehensive approach that prevents the recurrence of conflicts.



Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza and Destroy Heavy Equipment Needed to Clear Rubble 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israeli Strikes Kill 14 in Gaza and Destroy Heavy Equipment Needed to Clear Rubble 

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike that hit machinery, in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, April 22, 2025. (Reuters)

Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 14 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and destroyed bulldozers and other heavy equipment that had been supplied by mediators to clear rubble. A separate strike in Lebanon on Tuesday killed a member of a local group.

Israel's 18-month offensive against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza, raising fears that much of it may never be rebuilt. The territory already had a shortage of heavy equipment, which is also needed to rescue people from the rubble after Israeli strikes and to clear vital roads.

A municipality in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza said a strike on its parking garage destroyed nine bulldozers provided by Egypt and Qatar, which helped broker the ceasefire that took hold in January. Israel ended the truce last month, renewing its bombardment and ground operations and sealing the territory's 2 million Palestinians off from all imports, including food, fuel and medical supplies.

The strikes also destroyed a water tanker and a mobile generator provided by aid groups, and a truck used to pump sewage, the Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality said.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the strikes. The military says it only targets fighters and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because the group operates in densely populated areas.

Israeli strikes kill 14, mostly children

An Israeli airstrike early Tuesday destroyed a multistory home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing nine people, including four women and four children, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included a 2-year-old girl and her parents.

“They were asleep, sleeping in God’s peace. They had nothing to do with anything,” said Awad Dahliz, the slain girl's grandfather. “What is the fault of this innocent child?”

A separate strike in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp killed three children and their parents, according to the Gaza Health Ministry's emergency service.

Israel's air and ground war has killed over 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were civilians or combatants. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 fighters, without providing evidence.

The war began when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 people hostage. They are still holding 59 hostages, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Hamas has said it will only free the remaining hostages in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. Israel has said it will keep fighting until the hostages are returned and Hamas has been either destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It has pledged to hold onto so-called security zones in Gaza indefinitely.