Egypt, Saudi Arabia stress Gaza peace, Arab solidarity in Jeddah talks

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged all parties on Monday to maintain a ceasefire in Gaza and move forward with the peace plan, initiated by US President Donald Trump, the Egyptian presidency said.

The talks came amid rising concerns over a possible wider regional conflict if the United States were to launch military action against Iran. Both Cairo and Riyadh have been active in efforts to support ongoing US-Iranian diplomatic negotiations.

Egypt continues to mediate between Israel and Hamas, while both nations have repeatedly voiced criticism of Israeli military operations in Gaza, the West Bank and other Palestinian territories since full-scale hostilities erupted in October 2023.

During their meeting in Jeddah, Sisi and the crown prince stressed the need for unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza and the swift launch of recovery and reconstruction initiatives. They also reaffirmed their opposition to any forced displacement of Palestinians and stressed that a negotiated political settlement leading to a two-state solution remains the only sustainable resolution.

The discussions extended to regional and international issues, with both leaders underlining the importance of avoiding escalation and promoting dialogue. They highlighted Arab unity in tackling regional challenges, while respecting sovereignty and the principle of non-interference.

An Egyptian presidential spokesperson said Sisi thanked Saudi Arabia for its hospitality, conveyed greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and congratulated the crown prince on the kingdom’s Founding Day.

The visit included a private bilateral meeting and a Ramadan Iftar banquet hosted by the crown prince for Sisi and his delegation.

On bilateral matters, the Egyptian president emphasised expanding cooperation between Cairo and Riyadh, while the crown prince described the relationship as “pivotal” and expressed a desire to strengthen collaboration across multiple areas.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue and deepen political coordination to promote stability in the region. Sisi was later escorted to King Abdulaziz International Airport by the crown prince for his departure.