Egypt’s Sissi discusses Gaza cease-fire implementation with EU commissioner

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with a European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, in Cairo to discuss efforts to implement a Gaza cease-fire agreement, according to a presidency statement released Saturday.

During the meeting, Sisi shared his perspective on developments in Gaza, emphasizing Egypt’s ongoing work to implement the cease-fire agreement, facilitate the exchange of hostages and prisoners, deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave, and begin reconstruction without displacing Palestinians.

Both parties stressed the importance of European Union support for efforts to restore calm and achieve stability in the region. The statement highlighted the establishment of a Palestinian state as “the only guarantee for achieving lasting peace in the region.”

The talks come as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The Israeli government halted the entry of humanitarian aid on Sunday following the expiration of the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sought to extend the initial exchange phase to secure the release of more Israeli captives without offering concessions or fulfilling military and humanitarian obligations under the agreement.

Hamas has refused to move forward under these terms, insisting that Israel adhere to the cease-fire conditions and immediately begin negotiations for the second phase, which would include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the conflict.

The Egyptian government has prepared a reconstruction plan for Gaza that specifically avoids displacing Palestinian residents, contrasting with comments made by the U.S.

President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly proposed “taking over” Gaza and resettling its population to develop the area as a tourist destination.