Egypt, US Agree on Importance of Political Solutions for Regional Crises

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)
TT
20

Egypt, US Agree on Importance of Political Solutions for Regional Crises

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meeting the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez (Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt and the US agreed on the need to strengthen efforts toward reaching political solutions to regional crises to ensure the territorial integrity of states and the resources of their peoples.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met on Thursday with the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Robert Menendez, in the presence of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Director of the General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel, and US Ambassador to Cairo Jonathan Cohen.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said that Menendez expressed his profound appreciation for Egypt's role, under Sisi’s leadership, in combating terrorism and extremist ideology, and efforts to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for its citizens.

Sisi underscored the "robust and longstanding strategic relations between Egypt and the US," reiterating Cairo's commitment to further advancing bilateral relations in light of the regional developments and challenges, primarily the growing threat of terrorism.

Menendez stressed that the US also accords great importance to its relations with Egypt, valuing the "outstanding level of their cooperation."

He noted that Egypt is a cornerstone for security and stability in the Middle East and the Arab world and a vital partner in the region.

He also reiterated the US administration's appreciation for Egyptian efforts to restore calm in the Gaza Strip.

The President affirmed "Egypt's position in support of the various efforts exerted to revitalize the peace process and resume negotiations."

Sisi stressed Egypt's firm position in this regard, namely to reach a "just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent state, under international references, opening up prospects for peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the region."

Earlier, Sisi received a phone call from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The presidential spokesman stated that they discussed the ongoing preparations for the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference, which will take place in Glasgow, UK.

Both leaders stressed the need to strengthen coordination to ensure that this session would bring about positive results to promote the international community's efforts amid the current global climate crisis.

They also touched on the most prominent forms of bilateral relations and ways to develop them in defense, security, and combating terrorism, including means to revive tourism from Britain to Egypt.

They discussed regional developments, especially the situation in Libya, and agreed to support holding the elections there as scheduled by the end of this year.

They also stressed that it is crucial that all foreign forces and mercenaries leave Libya.



Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

Aid to Gaza 'Facing Total Collapse', Warn 12 NGOs

 A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian boy looks through a hole in the wall into a damaged room after an Israeli strike on a school housing displaced Palestinians in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on April 17, 2025. (AFP)

The humanitarian aid system in Gaza is "facing total collapse" because of Israel's blockade on aid supplies since March 2, the heads of 12 major aid organizations warned Thursday, urging Israel to let them "do our jobs".

Israel has vowed to maintain its blockage on humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged territory, saying it is the only way to force Hamas to release the 58 hostages still held there.

"Every single person in Gaza is relying on humanitarian aid to survive," the chief executives of 12 NGOs, including Oxfam and Save the Children, wrote in a joint statement.

"That lifeline has been completely cut off since a blockade on all aid supplies was imposed by Israeli authorities on March 2," they said, adding that "This is one of the worst humanitarian failures of our generation."

A survey of 43 international and Palestinian aid organizations working in Gaza found that almost all have suspended or drastically cut services since a ceasefire ended on March 18, "with widespread and indiscriminate bombing making it extremely dangerous to move around", the NGOs said.

"Famine is not just a risk, but likely rapidly unfolding in almost all parts of Gaza," they said. "Survival itself is now slipping out of reach and the humanitarian system is at breaking point."

"We call on all parties to guarantee the safety of our staff and to allow the safe, unfettered access of aid into and across Gaza through all entry points, and for world leaders to oppose further restrictions."

Israel's renewed assault has killed at least 1,691 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, bringing the overall toll since the war erupted to 51,065, most of them civilians.

Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, also mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.