Egypt Daily News – President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and CIA Chief William Burns met on Thursday in Cairo to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at securing a truce in the Gaza Strip.
They focused on advancing negotiations for a ceasefire and the exchange of detainees, highlighting the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
This meeting occurred shortly after Burns’ trip to Doha for further discussions with Qatari, Egyptian, and Israeli officials regarding a potential truce.
During the meeting, which included Egypt’s General Intelligence Service Head Hassan Rashad, President Sisi reiterated the necessity of ensuring immediate and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
He pointed out the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and condemned the Israeli Knesset’s passage of a bill that would prohibit UNRWA’s operations in Israel, viewing it as part of Israel’s broader pattern of violating international humanitarian law.
President El-Sisi stressed the importance of implementing a two-state solution to foster regional peace and security, as Egypt, the US, and Qatar have been mediating indirect talks between Israel and Hamas for months.
However, Israel has rejected all proposed ceasefire agreements while continuing military actions in the region.
President Sisi recently proposed an Egyptian initiative for a two-day ceasefire in Gaza, suggesting an exchange of four Israeli captives for multiple Palestinian prisoners as a preliminary step toward enduring peace.
Additionally, the discussions also touched on the situation in Lebanon, where President Sisi emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire to preserve the country’s sovereignty and protect its people’s stability. He cautioned that unchecked regional escalations could have severe repercussions throughout the region.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the strong partnership between Egypt and the United States, underscoring their shared commitment to enhancing collaborative efforts for regional security and stability.
