Ankara: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss matters of regional security and efforts aimed at fostering stability in the Middle East, as reported by the State Department on Thursday.

According to Anadolu Agency, during the meeting held at the State Department on Wednesday, Rubio expressed gratitude to Abdelatty for "Egypt's steadfast support in securing the release of hostages held by Hamas." The discussions also highlighted the importance of transitioning to civilian governance in Sudan.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry shared on X that the meeting was productive and addressed strengthening the strategic partnership, tackling key regional crises, and ensuring Egypt's water security.

This meeting takes place against the backdrop of rising concerns from humanitarian organizations regarding severe food shortages in the Gaza Strip. The blockade on food and aid continues to affect Palestinians in the region.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has maintained a fierce offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of over 60,200 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The ongoing bombardment has severely affected the enclave, leading to critical food scarcity.