In a meeting in Cairo on Monday, the Egyptian president called for removing all obstacles impeding the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by the Egyptian presidency.
He also urged making concrete progress towards implementing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During the meeting, attended by the Head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service ,Abbas Kamel, both sides agreed to intensify joint efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of captives and detainees.
They also highlighted Egyptian efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Furthermore, El-Sisi and the top US diplomat affirmed the strength of the strategic partnership between both countries and their keenness to continue coordination on various topics and issues.
For his part, Blinken affirmed the US administration’s appreciation for the ongoing Egyptian efforts on the political and humanitarian tracks.
He also expressed the US’ keenness to continue joint work and coordination between the two countries to restore security and peace in the region.
Earlier Monday, the US Secretary of State arrived in Cairo at the start of a new Mideast tour meant to push forward the new ceasefire proposal put forth by the US President Joe Biden.
Blinken’s visit, the eighth since the outbreak of the Israeli war on Gaza, comes nearly two weeks after Biden advocated for the three-phase proposal, which starts with a six-week complete ceasefire that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated areas of Gaza.
No humanitarian aid has entered a population facing famine in Gaza through the Rafah border crossing since Israel took over the Palestinian side of the crossing in early May.
Egypt redirected Gaza-bound humanitarian aid trucks from Rafah to the Karm Abu Salem border crossing temporarily as per an agreement between the Egyptian and US presidents.
Cairo has repeatedly expressed its rejection of the presence of Israeli forces at the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, insisting that it will only cooperate with Palestinians or international parties over the crossing.
Source: Ahram Online
