Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated in an Arab/European ministerial meeting in Brussels on efforts to implement the two-state solution in BrusselsCAIRO – 27 May 2024: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated in an Arab/European ministerial meeting in Brussels on efforts to implement the two-state solution, including recognition of the Palestinian state. The meeting was co-chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide, in cooperation with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. The ministerial meeting came in the implementation of the recommendations of the joint extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit regarding developments in the Gaza Strip. The Participating Ministers affirmed their support for the efforts aimed at reaching an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, releasing prisoners and hostages, ending the war in the Gaza Strip and all illegal unilateral measures and violations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including controlling the Rafah crossing, and addressing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis. They also addressed concrete steps towards establishing a Palestinian state in the context of the two-state solution and moving to a political path that supports a sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that sirens were activated in all central Israeli cities and Tel Aviv after the barrage of rockets. Israeli TV Channel 12 confirmed that Tel Aviv was targeted from the city of Rafah, located south of the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, the Israeli Army Radio revealed that approximately 12 rockets were fired from the Rafah area into the heart of Israel. In Herzliya, north of Tel Aviv, a person was injured by shrapnel from one of the rockets. Additionally, two women sustained minor injuries while seeking shelter in a protected area, according to Israeli Army Radio.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi meets with Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir and several army commanders to discuss ports renovation efforts – PresidencyCAIRO – 26 May 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has ordered continuing the development of Egypt's ports network, aligning with the government's efforts to enhance infrastructure and create more job opportunities. The president conveyed these instructions during a meeting with Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir, Commander of the Navy Ashraf Atwa, and several Armed Forces commanders. The meeting also emphasized the role of these ports in strengthening Egypt's position as a regional and global hub for maritime transport, logistics, and transit trade. In recent years, Egypt has implemented comprehensive plans to develop its maritime ports with the country enjoying over 3,000 km of coasts on the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. During this period, Egyptian ports have handled a staggering 1.5 billion tons of goods, according to the ministry’s data.

Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Ambassador Ilyas Sheikh Omar Abu Bakr, the outgoing Ambassador of Somalia to Egypt, on Sunday at the Cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. Prime Minister Madbouly welcomed the ambassador, wishing him success in his future endeavours, and affirmed Egypt’s full support for Somalia. He emphasized the importance of achieving security, stability, and peace in Somalia, highlighting its significance for regional stability. He emphasized Somalia’s aspiration for continued Egyptian support, particularly in light of the political and security challenges the country faces. He concluded by expressing his appreciation for the Egyptian political leadership’s support in achieving stability in Somalia.

Eastern Ukraine CNN —Russian President Vladimir Putin’s signaling this week that he is open to peace talks should be viewed with vast, overshadowing caveats, and the weight of Ukraine’s – and the West’s – past experience of Russian diplomacy. Putin questioned the legitimacy of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who Moscow has repeatedly assailed, after Kyiv had to delay elections because of the very war Putin started. Zelensky has said he hopes China – Russia’s most potent ally but only partial supporter in the Ukraine war – will attend. Putin may be talking peace now to suggest to Beijing to not be involved in diplomacy about Russia without Russia present. Valentyn Ogirenko/ReutersUkraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, said Friday that Putin’s hints at peace talks were directly aimed at sabotaging the summit.

The parties have decided to resume mediation negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The goal is to facilitate the exchange of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees in the Strip. The talks aim to find common ground and establish stability in the region. The United Nations spokesperson also announced that the establishment of a temporary US pier on the Gaza coast allowed for the arrival of 97 humanitarian aid trucks within a week. It also reported that the toll of the Israeli aggression had risen to 35,903 deaths and 80,420 injuries since the seventh of last October.

In her address, the US Ambassador to Egypt, Herro Mustafa Garg, underscored the enduring partnership between the United States and Egypt. “This is my first Independence Day celebration as US Ambassador to Egypt,” Garg stated. Additionally, I aim to bring more American students to Egypt, building personal experiences and bonds that strengthen our relationship,” she assured. The Ambassador emphasized that the Egyptian-American security partnership is built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. In 2023, the United States and Egypt jointly hosted the largest iteration of the biennial Bright Star exercise, involving 34 participating countries.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has called on investors to actively participate in all agricultural projects being implemented in Egypt. Al-Sisi emphasized the state’s commitment to achieving significant production volumes in agricultural projects. Regarding the high costs associated with current agricultural projects, Al-Sisi pointed out that they are often executed simultaneously and in an integrated manner. He expressed disapproval of cultivating a million acres to yield only 2.5 million tonnes of wheat when it is possible to achieve 3.5 million tonnes without increasing land area or water usage. Al-Sisi directed the Ministry of Agriculture to learn from the experience of the Modern Farming Company in agricultural investment.

Egypt, alongside the African continent, celebrated Africa Day on Saturday, May 25th, marking the founding of the Organization of African Unity in 1963. The “Africa Voice on Water” (AVOW) magazine was launched, providing a platform for information on water and sanitation in Africa. The country also chaired the “Road to the 10th World Water Forum” session during the 6th Cairo Water Week. Egypt led the African track of the 10th World Water Forum, showcasing a unified vision of the continent’s water challenges. The country is now preparing to host “Africa Water Week” in conjunction with the 7th Cairo Water Week in October 2024.

CAIRO - 25 May 2024: Egyptian Minister of Finance Dr. Mohamed Maait confirmed that a project to develop and automate the real estate tax system was launched in cooperation with the tax solutions operating technology company E-Tax, owned by the Ministry of Finance, and the E.G. The project is meant to make it easier for citizens, by making real estate tax system services available electronically for the first time, gradually, within the framework of the Ministry of Finance’s strategy to optimally exploit the path of digital transformation in various sectors and affiliated departments, in a way that contributes to improving the quality of services and establishing the pillars of equal opportunities and transparency. The minister added that an “advanced electronic platform” has already been launched to facilitate services and spread awareness of real estate tax laws and procedures, and the service will gradually begin to launch the service of inquiring about unit tax dues, paying debts, reviewing the account electronically, and electronic payment of the tax “online” for those registered in high-density tax offices. Anwar Fawzi, Head of the Real Estate Tax Authority, confirmed that procedures are being carefully re-engineered and mechanized to make “remote services” available via the advanced electronic platform, during the project implementation stages. This contributes to alleviating the burden on citizens and relieving them of the need to go to mission offices to receive services.

CNN — The United Nations’ top court has ordered Israel to immediately halt its controversial military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, further increasing international pressure on Israel over its war against Hamas. Israel began a limited ground offensive in Rafah on May 7, defying calls from the international community, including the United States, not to proceed. More than a million Palestinians were taking shelter in Rafah before Israel started its operation, but the court noted that around 800,000 have since been displaced. Upon entering Rafah, the military seized the city’s border crossing with Egypt, which has remained shut since. Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the Netherlands, Vusimuzi Madonsela, waits for judges to enter the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands on Friday.

CAIRO - 25 May 2024: For decades, Egypt's role in the Palestinian issue has been remarkable and appreciated by all parties and seen by the whole world. Egypt deals with the Palestinian issue from the point of view of it being a national security issuePrimarily. In this regard, the Egyptian state has adopted a consistent policy regarding the method of resolving the Palestinian issue. Relations with Palestinian factions:Egypt has strong relations with the Palestinian National Authority, as well as with all factionsand Palestinian organizations without exception. C- Supervising the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005.

The occupation warplanes further opened heavy gunfire targeting east of the city of Deir al-Balah. Meanwhile, a number of civilians were wounded as a result of violent artillery shelling and gunfire by occupation warplanes and military tanks that targeted the neighborhoods of Sheikh Ajlin, Tal al-Hawa, and al-Zaytoun in Gaza City. Ambulance and civil crews are finding difficulties in reaching the targeted areas due the intensity of the fire and the ongoing shelling. In Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip, the occupation launched a series of airstrikes on many areas. The occupation artillery fired dozens of shells at the eastern border areas between the cities of Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

In the past, Arab singers regarded performing in Cairo as a stroke of luck. Being famous in Egypt meant achieving true fame that resonated throughout the entire Arab region, unlike fame in any other Arab country. However, other Arab cities have emerged as appealing destinations for singers across the region, including some of Egypt’s artists. The countless Arab singers who achieved success and fame here stand as a testament to this legacy. Egyptian singers themselves increasingly choose to perform outside their home country, impacting other Arab stars’ decisions.

Egypt has reiterated its opposition to “de facto policies” imposed by Israel and reaffirmed its commitment to aiding the Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, a high-ranking Egyptian official told Daily News Egypt on Friday. The official underscored Egypt’s stance that the Rafah border crossing is an “Egyptian-Palestinian gateway” and outlined plans to re-establish aid channels through a mechanism agreed upon with the Palestinian Authority. To address this, Egypt has reached a temporary agreement with the United States to enable aid delivery through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. He also reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of facilitating aid to meet the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza. The official concluded by rejecting any prevailing de facto policies imposed by the Israeli side, highlighting the North African nation’s commitment to a collaborative approach with the Palestinian Authority in delivering essential aid.