US President Donald Trump asserted on Monday, during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Sharm El Sheikh, that the United States would “always and forever” stand with his Egyptian counterpart, whom he described as a “strong leader.” During their encounter, Trump noted the pivotal role Egypt played in facilitating the recent agreement.
He further confirmed that the second phase of the Gaza accord has commenced, anticipating that the Middle East will witness “significant progress” in the near future. Trump also highlighted the urgent need for clean-up operations to remove rubble and debris from the Gaza Strip, revealing his desire to see President Sisi join a “peace council” tasked with managing Gaza’s affairs. He added that Iran is also seeking a deal and requires assistance in that regard.
Sisi Praises Trump’s Efforts, Outlines Post-Accord Priorities
For his part, President El-Sisi commended Trump’s efforts, describing him as the sole figure capable of achieving peace in the region, and lauded the Gaza agreement as a “magnificent achievement.” The Egyptian President emphasized that the immediate priority must be to cement a full ceasefire in Gaza and rigorously follow up on the steps necessary to ensure the success of the peace agreement. Sisi also stressed the need to guarantee the flow of aid into the enclave, alongside the sensitive issue of returning the bodies of Israeli hostages to their families.
