Trump Urges Israel to Make a Decision About Gaza Future
US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy with new comments about the situation in Gaza, stating that he does not believe a famine exists in the enclave, and suggesting that the crisis may be a matter of 'malnutrition,' which he claimed is worsened by Hamas stealing aid. The remarks came during a meeting in Scotland with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Trump said, 'Hamas must return the hostages. We have already gotten most of them back,' adding that it is now up to Israel to make a decision regarding Gaza's future. He did not specify what course of action he believes Israel should take, but emphasized that the burden of next steps lies with Tel Aviv.
While downplaying the severity of the humanitarian conditions, Trump acknowledged that more aid will be sent to Gaza, though he insisted that the United States should not carry the effort alone. 'Other countries must participate in this mission,' he stated, noting that he had discussed the situation, including humanitarian access, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
read more
Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685
NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria
Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO
Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided
News
Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks
News
Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank
News
Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region
News
One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid
News
Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters
Arts & Culture
"Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date
News
China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier
Videos & Features
Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall
Lifestyle
Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt
Arts & Culture
South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle
Business
Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs
Sports
Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results
News
"Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence"
Arts & Culture
Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt, EU to host landmark summit before year's end: Cairo Ambassador to Brussels - Foreign Affairs
Egypt and the European Union (EU) are preparing for a landmark summit before the end of 2025, the first under their newly signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Egypt's ambassador to Brussels, Ahmed Abu Zeid, said this week. The high-level meeting, he told Egyptian journalists in the Belgian capital, is expected to consolidate political and economic cooperation, unlock billions in European support, and affirm Egypt's stabilizing role in the region. Abu Zeid stated that the summit will help realign mutual priorities amid global instability and inject new momentum into Egypt-EU ties, a long-standing relationship rooted in the 2004 Association Agreement and significantly elevated in 2023 when Egypt became the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) country to sign a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the bloc. €5 billion package tied to IMF-backed reforms A cornerstone of the new partnership is a five billion euro EU financial package, pledged to support Egypt's economy amid global shocks, including the war in Ukraine, disruptions to Red Sea shipping, and soaring food and energy prices. The first billion euros were disbursed in 2024 as development and investment guarantees. The remaining four billion euros, approved by the European Parliament and Council in June, will be disbursed in phases starting later this year, conditional on the progress of economic reforms agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Abu Zeid described the negotiations with EU institutions as 'long and arduous,' given the differing political agendas within the Commission, Council, and Parliament. But he said the disbursements are now firmly linked to Egypt's reform trajectory. 'Everyone must be completely comfortable that the economic reform path is on track, and that there's a comprehensive economic and financial reform programme in place,' he said. Strategic, not conditional—Egypt's messaging to Brussels While reiterating Egypt's openness to reform, Abu Zeid pushed back against suggestions of political conditionality. 'There are no conditions, and we have not observed any attempts to impose conditions,' he said. 'These are measures undertaken by the state for the benefit of its people. The state knows its responsibility towards its citizens and its accountability before parliament.,' he added, underscoring that economic and political reform is a national process. He noted that Egypt is fully aware that its partners are closely following this path, and therefore, 'we are not hiding anything.' Abu Zeid said Cairo is in near-daily contact with MEPs and parliamentary blocs to clarify Egypt's regional role, particularly its involvement in efforts to mediate wars and conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and elsewhere. Over the past nine months, Egypt has hosted several European delegations—including MEPs, rapporteurs, and major bloc representatives—who met with officials, civil society, and human rights institutions to deepen their understanding of Egypt's political, economic, and social context and its challenges. Europe's interests in a stable southern Mediterranean Abu Zeid said the EU's strategic interest in Egypt is closely tied to migration management, energy cooperation, and regional security. The partnership is also framed within broader EU initiatives in the southern Mediterranean—such as the Union for the Mediterranean and the New Mediterranean Charter—focused on green transformation, labour mobility, youth, and infrastructure. He emphasized that there is strong awareness in Brussels that the stability of the southern Mediterranean is tied to the Middle East, which has significant implications in areas such as irregular migration and security threats. Abu Zeid said the MENA region presents clear investment opportunities, including in education, manufacturing, and supply chains. Egypt, he added, is viewed not only as a key regional strategic and security partner but also as a source of skilled labour, logistical advantage, and cultural capital. Tensions over Gaza, Israel, and EU fragmentation On the Israeli war on Gaza, Abu Zeid welcomed what he described as the EU's 'positive' emphasis on international and humanitarian law. However, he acknowledged internal divisions within the bloc that make it challenging to reach unified positions on Israel and the Palestinian issue. 'There is a review underway of EU-Israel relations under the Association Agreement, especially after some member states recognized that Israel is violating Article 2 on human rights,' he said. Egypt, he added, is pressing both bilaterally and through EU institutions for a firmer stance, including potential sanctions against Israeli extremists and settlers, in addition to a suspension of engagement. 'The daily human rights violations in Gaza must not be met with statements alone—they require concrete action,' he said, noting that 12 EU member states have already recognized Palestine, and others may follow. Discussions are also ongoing about a Gaza reconstruction and early recovery conference, which Egypt sees as a potential entry point for a ceasefire and longer-term political resolution. Abu Zeid said the EU is 'fully aware' that the two-state solution needs to move from rhetoric to policy, through an initiative led by the EU and its international partners. Culture, education, and Europe's shifting priorities Abu Zeid also stressed the importance of cultural diplomacy, particularly in Egypt's bilateral relations with Belgium, Luxembourg, and EU institutions. He cited significant efforts to spotlight Egypt's heritage, such as through cultural troupes and exhibitions linked to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). 'Five percent of our diplomatic goals are achieved automatically through cultural engagement,' he said. 'It signals to the other party that this is a country with history, civilization, and standing.' Education remains a priority area, with efforts to expand access to European programmes such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and Talent Skills, while also improving recognition of Egyptian degrees in Europe. The Horizon Europe research agreement has been initialled, with a final signing expected by the end of the year. Egypt is also pushing to open more branches of European universities and launch joint degree programs with EU partners. 'Human capital is one of the six pillars of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU—and the key to long-term cooperation,' he said. Defence spending, NATO dialogue, and geopolitical constraints Abu Zeid warned, however, that rising global militarization is shifting European priorities. 'We are seeing increasing defence and security budgets, which are coming at the expense of soft power—education, culture, and development,' he said. Escalating geopolitical crises have driven the EU to adopt a new defence and security strategy and pushed NATO to raise its spending ceiling to five percent of national income, further shifting priorities across the continent. The EU and NATO have both launched new regional frameworks—the Mediterranean Charter and NATO's Southern Dialogue, respectively—designed to re-engage southern neighbours on issues ranging from terrorism and cross-border crime to maritime security and migration. Egypt is a member of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue Group and has opted for 'balance' in its defence partnerships, avoiding entanglement in rival blocs. Cairo also maintains advanced defence relations with European countries and engages in political dialogue at multiple levels. Abu Zeid noted that all topics are open for discussion, and that higher-level engagement—whether through the Participation Council or at the summit level—often creates space for new areas of cooperation. Looking ahead: trade, investment, and the summit As part of growing economic ties, Abu Zeid noted that Belgium's foreign and trade minister visited Cairo in May and is expected to return early next year with a delegation of investors. He pointed to Egypt's proximity to European markets, skilled labour force, and economic incentives as key advantages. With Europe facing resource shortages and labour gaps due to diverted defence spending, 'this presents an opportunity for Egypt,' he said. The summit, scheduled before the end of the year, is expected to cap months of technical, political, and financial coordination—and, Abu Zeid hopes, usher in a new era of cooperation shaped by 'shared responsibility and mutual benefit.' Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
FM calls for int'l efforts to stem Palestinian bloodshed
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty stressed the urgent need for concerted international efforts to stem the bloodshed of the Palestinian people and to ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, in light of the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe caused by the ongoing Israeli aggression. His remarks came during a meeting with Germany's Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Florian Hahn, held on the sidelines of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution, currently taking place at the UN headquarters in New York. Abdelatty reviewed the ongoing preparations for Egypt's hosting of a conference on early recovery and reconstruction, to be convened immediately upon the announcement of a ceasefire agreement. He praised the solid and long-standing Egyptian-German ties, underlining the depth of cooperation across various sectors, and reaffirmed that Germany remains one of Egypt's most important political and economic partners. The minister also commended the significant role played by German companies in Egypt's comprehensive development efforts, encouraging German investment in diverse fields in light of the promising opportunities offered by the Egyptian market. He further stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in energy, regulated migration and labor mobility, vocational training, and joint engagement in Africa. He also briefed his German counterpart on the latest developments in Gaza and Egypt's efforts to broker a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages and detainees. Abdelatty stressed the need to accelerate international recognition of the state of Palestine within the framework of the two-state solution, noting that establishing a political horizon for a just and sustainable settlement to the Palestinian issue is essential for peace and stability across the region. He reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering support for the Palestinian people in securing their legitimate rights, topped by the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with Al-Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) as its capital.
Egypt Independent
2 hours ago
- Egypt Independent
FM Heads For Washington For Talks on Egyptian-American Strategic Partnership
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Affairs Badr Abdelatty headed for Washington on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The top diplomat is to hold bilateral meetings with US administration officials, as well as leaders and members of Congress, to discuss ways to strengthen the Egyptian-American strategic partnership and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
