Sisi welcomes Trump’s Gaza plan, says it opens path to lasting peace

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, as Israeli and Hamas representatives prepared to begin indirect negotiations in Egypt aimed at securing a hostage-prisoner exchange and achieving a ceasefire.

“I can only express my praise and gratitude to President Donald Trump for his initiative aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza,” Sisi said in a speech marking the anniversary of the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War (known as the Yom Kippur War).

Sisi described the initiative as a step in the right direction, emphasizing that an end to hostilities must be accompanied by broader measures to restore stability in the region.

“A ceasefire, the return of hostages, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the launch of a peaceful political process leading to the establishment and recognition of a Palestinian state mean that we are on the right path toward lasting peace and stability,” he said.

The Egyptian leader’s remarks come as Egypt hosts a new round of indirect negotiations between Israeli officials and members of Hamas’s political bureau, mediated by Egypt and Qatar. The talks are expected to focus on a temporary ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Egypt has long played a central role in mediating between Israel and Hamas, maintaining communication channels with both sides while advocating for a two-state solution.

Sisi’s endorsement of Trump’s initiative underscores Cairo’s interest in restoring calm along its border with Gaza and preventing further regional destabilization, while positioning Egypt once again as a key diplomatic broker in the Middle East peace proces