Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has renewed his invitation to US President Donald Trump to attend the signing ceremony of a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Palestinians and Israel. The invitation was extended during a meeting at the Ittihadiya Palace with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner. Sisi expressed his approval of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and acknowledged the significant efforts made by President Trump to facilitate this development.
According to Anadolu Agency, President Sisi emphasized the importance of signing the agreement promptly and reiterated Egypt's commitment to working closely with the US to implement Trump's Gaza plan. He underscored the necessity for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza, independent of the formal signing of the agreement. Sisi's invitation to President Trump was initially extended on Wednesday, with Trump indicating the possibility of visiting the Middle East over the weekend.
Sisi also commended the mediation efforts by Turkey, the US, and Qatar, which supported Egypt's involvement in the Sharm el-Sheikh ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. He assured that Egypt would continue collaborating with all parties to enforce the ceasefire, facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, and secure the release of hostages and detainees.
During the meeting, Witkoff and Kushner conveyed US appreciation for Egypt's crucial role in ending the conflict and restoring regional stability. Sisi concluded the session with a renewed invitation for President Trump to witness the signing of the historic agreement in Egypt.
Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh on Wednesday to participate in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. The agreement was announced early Thursday after four days of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, and the US.
President Trump's ceasefire plan, unveiled on September 29, includes the release of Israeli captives in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire, and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The plan also proposes a new governing structure in Gaza without Hamas' involvement, the formation of a security force comprising Palestinians and troops from Arab and Islamic countries, and the disarmament of Hamas. Additionally, it calls for Arab and Islamic funding for Gaza's reconstruction with limited participation from the Palestinian Authority.
The plan has received a positive response from Arab and Muslim countries, though some officials have noted that certain details require further discussion and negotiation for full implementation.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of nearly 67,200 Palestinians in the enclave, primarily women and children, leaving the area uninhabitable.