Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi voiced strong support on Thursday for the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, calling for immediate implementation and vowing continued cooperation with the United States to ensure its success.
During a high-level meeting at Cairo’s Ittihadiya Palace, President Sisi received U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner, senior advisor to former President Donald Trump, who arrived in Egypt as official emissaries to finalize negotiations surrounding the Gaza ceasefire.
Also present were Egyptian General Intelligence Director Major General Hassan Rashad and U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg.
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, President Sisi began the meeting by welcoming the ceasefire agreement and expressing appreciation for the “tireless efforts” of President Trump in brokering the deal.
“We look forward to celebrating the signing of the agreement as soon as possible,” President Sisi told the U.S. delegation, emphasizing that Egypt stands ready to continue its role in advancing peace in the region.
The American delegation, in turn, thanked President Sisi and the Egyptian intelligence services for their crucial mediation efforts. Both Witkoff and Kushner noted the strategic strength of the U.S.-Egypt relationship and conveyed Trump’s personal gratitude for President Sisi’s role not only in facilitating the current ceasefire, but in promoting regional stability more broadly.
“The president values his friendship with President Sisi and recognizes his leadership as essential to achieving this historic breakthrough,” the delegation said.
A Shared Legacy of Peace Efforts
Presidential spokesperson Mohamed El-Shennawy said President Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s long-standing commitment to peace in the Middle East, emphasizing the historic partnership between Cairo and Washington that dates back to Egypt’s 1979 peace treaty with Israel an agreement that laid the foundation for decades of U.S.-led diplomacy in the region.
President Sisi reiterated that Egypt is fully committed to working closely with the United States to implement the agreement based on Trump’s peace plan, including enforcing the ceasefire, enabling humanitarian access, and securing the release of all hostages and prisoners.
“The ceasefire must be upheld without delay,” President Sisi stressed, underscoring the humanitarian urgency after years of war and suffering in Gaza.
Mediation Efforts Widely Praised
The Egyptian president also praised the contributions of Qatari and Turkish mediators, noting that their roles complemented Egypt’s efforts during the final round of negotiations held in the Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
“The will of all the peoples and nations of the region aligns in support of halting the war and achieving peace,” President Sisi said. “Egypt will continue to work sincerely and responsibly with the United States, the mediators, and all relevant parties to ensure the agreement is honored.”
Witkoff and Kushner, speaking on behalf of the Trump administration, reiterated their country’s “deep appreciation for Egypt’s pivotal role in ending the war and restoring regional stability.” They described Egypt’s mediation as “indispensable” to reaching the current agreement.
President Sisi concluded the meeting by expressing his hope that President Trump would visit Egypt to attend the official signing ceremony of what he called a “historic agreement.” He pledged that Egypt would host the event with the dignity and significance befitting its importance.
