El-Sisi’s dual strategy: International mediator, domestic protector

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty traveled to New York on Sunday to take part in the High-Level Meetings of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 80). 

Madbouly also led Egypt’s delegation at the Two-State Solution Conference, while Abdelatty is set to deliver Egypt’s official address to the General Assembly on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

On the Palestinian question, Cairo continues to balance relations carefully: maintaining strong diplomatic ties with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. 

At the same time, Egypt plays a role as mediator between Israel and Hamas in efforts to secure the release of hostages.

However, President El-Sisi remains highly cautious in dealings with Islamist groups active in Gaza. Egypt views Hamas as the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a sworn enemy of the Egyptian state. This history of hostility shapes Cairo’s guarded approach to the group.

Egypt has also kept the Rafah crossing closed, refusing to admit large numbers of Palestinians from Gaza. Officials argue that such an influx could pose a serious risk to Egypt’s stability, given concerns about infiltration by armed groups.

By maintaining this delicate stance—dialogue with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, mediation with Hamas, and strict border controls—Egypt seeks to position itself as a stabilizing regional actor, while safeguarding its domestic security interests.