President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi pose for an image with the delegation from the US Congress on Monday 27 May, 2024. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Presidential Facebook page.
El-Sisi welcomed several US Democratic and Republican Congress members led by Senator Jerry Moran in Egypt on Monday, with the presence of Head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service (GIS) Abbas Kamel, the Egyptian presidency stated.
During the meeting, El-Sisi highlighted the necessity of intensifying efforts to halt the war in Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian tragedy faced by the people in the strip and prevent the spillover of conflict.
He emphasized the dangers posed by the Israeli military operations in Rafah city in southern Gaza, both in terms of humanitarian consequences and security implications.
El-Sisi conveyed to the Congressional delegation the need for serious global engagement to implement the two-state solution under international resolutions.
He emphasized that a two-state solution would pave the way for justice, peace, and security for all peoples in the region.
The delegation commended Egypt's pivotal role in advancing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the exchange of detainees and captives.
They also expressed appreciation for Egypt's significant ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza.
The delegation praised Egypt's role as a pillar of regional stability and commended the nation's endeavours to consolidate peace and security in the region.
This visit to Egypt reflects the importance the United States attaches to the strategic partnership between the two countries, the delegation stressed.
The war in Gaza, which has been ongoing for nearly eight months, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 40,000 Palestinians and left over 80,600 injured, as reported by the Gaza health ministry.
Egypt, the United States, and Qatar have been mediating between Israel and Hamas in recent months to secure a ceasefire agreement, which is expected to facilitate the release of around 100 captives still held by Hamas in Gaza.
However, talks have stalled since Israel escalated its operations in Gaza by invading the city of Rafah on 7 May, where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million population had sought refuge.
Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that negotiations are expected to resume this week, with a focus on ceasefire proposals led by Egypt and Qatar.
The announcement comes following a meeting in Paris last week between Israeli Mossad Director David Barnea, Qatar's Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, and CIA Director William Burns.
The truce discussions come amid reported tensions between Egypt and Israel due to the Israeli takeover of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt earlier this month. The move has blocked the crucial entry point for life-saving aid daily.
After coordination between El-Sisi and US President Joe Biden, numerous Egyptian aid trucks, including fuel trucks, started to enter Gaza on Sunday after rerouting from the Rafah crossing to Israel's Karm Abu Salem crossing.
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