Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held talks with CIA Director William Burns in Cairo on Thursday, focusing on regional stability, including Gaza de-escalation efforts and Lebanon's security concerns.

Egypt's head of General Intelligence Services, Hassan Rashad, was also present at the meeting.

Discussions centered on ways to facilitate negotiations aimed at a ceasefire in Gaza, with Egypt proposing measures that include a prisoner exchange and unrestricted humanitarian access. President el-Sisi stressed that providing humanitarian aid to Gaza is the country’s top priority, as conditions in the Strip worsen under a prolonged siege. He underscored the importance of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in delivering essential services and urged that its operations be safeguarded.

El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to a two-state solution as essential for long-term peace in the region. He also addressed the escalating tensions in Lebanon, advocating for an immediate ceasefire to safeguard Lebanese sovereignty and prevent regional instability from spiraling further.

In a move to mitigate the ongoing Gaza conflict, Egypt recently proposed an initial two-day ceasefire aimed at securing the release of four Israeli captives held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees. President el-Sisi announced the proposal alongside Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, calling for negotiations to resume within 10 days after implementing the temporary ceasefire to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Emphasizing the urgency of humanitarian intervention, el-Sisi warned that Palestinians in Gaza are “on the brink of famine” and advocated for immediate aid entry to alleviate severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials. Egypt’s proposal aligns with ongoing diplomatic efforts in Qatar, which include representatives from the CIA and Mossad, aiming to bring lasting stability to the region. (ILKHA)