Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi receives US Senators in Cairo, 4 January 2024. Photo: Egyptian Presidency
El-Sisi and Shoukry met with US Democratic Senate members Chris Van Hollen and Jeff Merkley, who are currently visiting Egypt.
According to the Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy, El-Sisi stressed the importance of exchanging captives and prisoners and delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza to relieve the suffering of thousands of displaced civilians.
The meetings come as the Israeli army intensified its airstrikes in central and southern Gaza as Israel’s genocidal war enters its 90th day, increasing the death toll among Palestinians to 22,300, including at least 9,600 children and 6,750 women.
The Egyptian President stressed to the senators that the international community must show great determination to reach a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian cause and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
The US has staunchly supported the Israeli campaign in Gaza - financially and militarily - since the get-go on 7 October.
Washington has vetoed all attempts to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war in the United Nations Security Council, opting to vote only for a resolution calling for the entry of humanitarian aid to the under-Israeli-blockade strip.
During the meeting, both sides categorically rejected any attempts to displace Palestinians.
They also agreed on the importance of containing the situation in the region and achieving security and stability at the regional and international levels.
The US Senators praised, in turn, Egypt's historical role and tireless efforts toward achieving peace and stability.
El-Sisi's meeting comes within the framework of the ongoing consultation between Egypt and the US, especially in light of the current regional situation and the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.
Meeting with Shoukry
During his meeting with the US senators, Shoukry stressed the necessity of a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to pave the way for addressing the root causes of the conflict and launching humanitarian recovery measures.
According to Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, Shoukry's negotiations with the US Senators tackled ways of boosting the Egyptian-US partnership.
During the meeting, Shoukry reaffirmed Egypt’s rejection of any attempts or measures that force the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to leave it, highlighting the US role in that regard, considering its status as a world power and its influence on Israel.
On the other hand, the senators expressed appreciation for Egypt’s efforts to deal with the political and humanitarian repercussions of the crisis.
They also pointed out their efforts as members of Congress to contain the worsening crisis and its dangerous humanitarian repercussions.
Moreover, the US senators thanked the Egyptian government for the effort of several Egyptian authorities in delivering substantial amounts of humanitarian, medical, and relief aid to the Gaza Strip.
They also expressed the US’s appreciation for Egypt's important role in facilitating the release of American captives in Gaza.
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