Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi declared on Monday that Egypt has been working tirelessly since the outbreak of the Gaza war on 7 October 2023, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, to achieve three primary objectives: ending the war, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid, and securing the release of hostages. In a televised address to the Egyptian people, as well as to the broader Arab and international communities, Al-Sisi emphasized that his message comes at a "critical time," amid widespread speculation regarding Egypt's position on the ongoing conflict. He reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering commitment to a ceasefire and to the two-state solution, which he called the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Al-Sisi made it clear that Egypt categorically rejects any forced displacement of Palestinians, warning that such actions would undermine the very concept of a two-state solution and any potential peaceful resolution. "Any forced displacement would destroy the very idea of a two-state solution or any peaceful settlement," he stated, reiterating Egypt's steadfast opposition to any efforts to expel Palestinians from their land. On the humanitarian front, the president highlighted that Gaza typically requires between 600 and 700 truckloads of aid daily. Despite the challenging field conditions over the past 21 months, Egypt has done everything possible to deliver as much aid as possible, he noted. Al-Sisi acknowledged that the operation of the Rafah crossing is not solely under Egypt's control, as it also depends on security and coordination with the Palestinian side. "We have a massive stockpile of aid ready to enter Gaza, and we will not block it—our values and ethics do not allow that," he affirmed, but added that aid delivery "requires coordination with the other party inside Gaza." The president reiterated that Egypt continues to collaborate closely with Qatar and the United States to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance, despite occasional obstacles that hinder progress. "Conditions in Gaza have been catastrophic in recent months. The situation has become unbearable. We must deliver the largest possible quantity of food, medicine, and other supplies to alleviate the crisis," Al-Sisi stressed. Addressing the Egyptian public, Al-Sisi emphasized Egypt's longstanding and unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, stating, "Don't think for a moment that we could be passive toward our Palestinian brothers. Egypt has a respectable, honest, and unwavering role that will not change." In his closing remarks, Al-Sisi made a direct appeal to the international community, calling on all countries, including the European Union and the United States, as well as regional partners, to exert maximum effort to end the war and facilitate aid delivery. He also made a personal appeal to US President Donald Trump, urging him to "do all you can to end this war and facilitate aid delivery. I believe the time has come." Al-Sisi's statements came shortly after a response from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which expressed frustration over "repeated attempts to distort Egypt's role in Gaza." The ministry emphasized that Egypt is fulfilling its humanitarian and national responsibilities with integrity, despite facing significant on-the-ground challenges. It also stated that Egypt would not be distracted by "malicious campaigns" designed to undermine its efforts, noting that such attempts ultimately harm the Palestinian cause amid Gaza's dire humanitarian situation.
