Latest news with #StateInformationService
Egypt Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Palestinian Cause is at forefront of Arab attention with unprecedented consensus, Diaa Rashwan
CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Head of the State Information Service Diaa Rashwan, said that the Palestinian cause enjoys unprecedented Arab consensus as a major and central issue. During his participation in the 'Listen and Talk' forum organized by Al-Azhar Observatory on Tuesday, he explained that the sacrifices of the people of Gaza refuted claims of abandoning their land. He noted that the Zionist aggression did not stop in Gaza recently, but extended to Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Director of the Institute of Arab Research and Studies, Mohamed Kamal, also explained in his statements that traditional Western media has adopted the Zionist narrative since the beginning of the aggression on Gaza. He added that Some newspapers issued guidelines to their writers to support this narrative, deepening the misinformation surrounding the Palestinian cause. This bias has provoked strong reactions from young people in the United States and Europe, who demonstrated at prestigious universities in defense of human rights and in rejection of double standards. Kamal explained that youth movements reflect a growing awareness of the importance of justice, praising the role of platforms and forums such as the "Listen and Talk" forum in empowering Arab youth to confront misinformation through digital media. This aligns with Al-Azhar's commitment to promoting awareness of just causes such as the Palestinian cause. Al-Azhar Observatory launched, Tuesday, the 4th edition of the 'Listen and Talk' forum, attended by a number of ministers and officials. This year's edition focused on civil and volunteer work and its role in combating extremism, along with the youth's role in spreading awareness about the Palestinian cause in the age of digital media and combating the phenomenon of misinformation through enhancing community awareness. Director of the Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism, Reham Abdullah confirmed that the observatory was established in 2015 under the supervision of Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb, with the aim of protecting youth from extremism and terrorism.
Egypt Independent
23-04-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Egypt to receive first Velaro high-speed electric train in August
Egypt is set to receive its first high-speed Velaro electric train in August, which will be designated for the first line of the high-speed electric train network, Egypt's State Information Service (SIS) reported. The announcement was made during a Monday inspection tour by Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel al-Wazir, who reviewed the first line of the high-speed electric train network (Sokhna/ el-Alamein/ Matrouh), spanning the distance from Mohamed Naguib Station to October Station. The minister monitored the finishing touches at Mohamed Naguib Station, the platforms, and the ticket halls, which serve the Katameya, New Cairo, and new urban areas south of the Ain Sokhna Road. According to the SIS report, five Velaro trains have already been fully manufactured. Egypt has also received the first Desiro regional train from Siemens' factories in Germany, with 14 more completed for a total of 34 ready trains. 'The high-speed rail network is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities. When complete, it will comprise three lines with a combined length of 2,000 kilometers, 60 stations, two main depots, and five maintenance points. The rolling stock fleet will include 41 high-speed trains, 94 regional trains, and 41 freight locomotives,' the SIS report explained. The first high-speed electric train line will extend from Ain Sokhna to Matrouh, passing through the new administrative capital, Cairo, Sixth of October City, Borg El Arab, and El Alamein. This network is of great importance for the transportation of passengers and goods, and will contribute to reducing carbon emissions. The high-speed electric train will be able to reach Cairo from Qena in 150 minutes, Aswan from Qena in 40 minutes, and Hurghada from Qena in 30 minutes.
Egypt Today
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
SIS Head: Egypt supports for legitimate rights of Palestinians
The head of the State Information Service (SIS), Diaa Rashwan- File CAIRO – 19 April 2025: The head of the State Information Service (SIS), Diaa Rashwan, affirmed Egypt's support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent state. In an interview with Al-Qahera News Channel on Friday evening, he stated, 'Egypt is committed to defending its national security and the Palestinian cause.' He added, 'Egyptian-Qatari efforts are grounded in truth, justice, international legitimacy, and the rights of the Palestinian people.' He emphasized that 'Egyptian efforts are focused on reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip,' adding that 'Cairo is making strenuous efforts to uphold the ceasefire agreement at all stages.' Rashwan revealed the scale of Egypt's unprecedented efforts to support the Gaza Strip. He stated that Egypt has received 105,000 Palestinians— including the injured, the wounded, and those suffering from chronic illnesses— and has provided them with medical care across approximately 100 Egyptian hospitals. Rashwan also noted that Egypt has supplied up to 75% of the total humanitarian aid entering Gaza, with thousands of trucks carrying food and medical supplies having crossed the Rafah crossing since the onset of the crisis. He highlighted Egypt's historical role as a key partner in the Palestinian cause, noting that Cairo has served as a meeting place for Palestinian factions over the past decades. He emphasized that Egypt remains "the Arab element most capable of mobilizing within Palestinian circles," owing to its experience and regional influence. Diaa Rashwan stated that Egypt's signing of the peace treaty with Israel in 1979, following five wars, marked a significant strategic shift that positioned Cairo as a key player in the conflict. He added that the treaty not only served Egypt's interests but also established a broader regional framework in which Cairo balanced Palestinian rights with regional security concerns.
Egypt Today
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Truce proposal requiring Hamas to disarm not Egyptian, reflects Israel's 'military failure': SIS head
FILE – Israel renews airstrikes in Gaza – WAFA CAIRO – 17 April 2025: The head of the State Information Service (SIS) has clarified that a recent demand for Hamas to disarm as a condition for a ceasefire in Gaza is part of an Israeli proposal, not an Egyptian one. In TV remarks on Wednesday, Diaa Rashwan refuted claims by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz that Egypt was behind the proposal. Katz claimed that Egypt had, for the first time, proposed the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza as part of a ceasefire deal. Rashwan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is imposing 'impossible' conditions for a ceasefire to avoid a permanent end to the war, which amounts to 'political suicide' for him. He described this demand as an admission of Israel's complete 'military failure,' emphasizing that Israel has been unable to eliminate Hamas's weapons since the war began in October 2023. 'How can Israel now resort to a political condition at the negotiating table and seek to do what it has failed to do with an army backed by all types of American weapons? This is an admission of Israel's complete military failure,' Rashwan stated. The Israeli proposal currently under consideration by Hamas suggests a 45-day ceasefire, during which the movement would release nine living Israeli captives and 16 deceased captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, both living and deceased. During this period, Hamas and Israel would negotiate a permanent end to the war and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip. Hamas has consistently referred to its weapons as a 'red line,' firmly rejecting any demands to disarm, making acceptance of such an offer highly unlikely. The Israeli proposal also includes the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, supposedly the last living American captive held in Gaza, on the first day. However, Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Tuesday that they had lost contact with the captors of Edan Alexander following an Israeli airstrike on their location, leaving his fate uncertain. In a video recorded by Hamas from captivity on Saturday, Alexander addressed former President Trump, blaming him for believing 'Netanyahu's lies,' and wondering why he is still held there. Hamas continues to hold 59 captives, with at least 22 believed to be alive, and has expressed readiness to release all remaining captives in exchange for an end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops under a permanent ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Israel has only shown willingness to accept a temporary truce for the release of captives from Gaza, without any commitment to end the war. Rashwan emphasized that Hamas will not abandon its demand for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, insisting that the movement will not release all captives it holds unless an agreement is guaranteed by the US or has explicit Israeli approval signed as part of a permanent ceasefire. On March 18, Israeli forces resumed the war in Gaza, shattering a ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the US, and killing over 1,600 Palestinian, predominantly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. The original multi-phase ceasefire agreement, which took effect in January, led to the release of 38 captives held by Hamas, 30 of them alive, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, under the first phase. Israel, however, has refused to move to the second phase of the agreement, which included a permanent end to the war in exchange for the release of all captives, living and dead.
Egypt Today
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
SIS head: Egypt represents Africa's voice in int'l forums, prioritizes continent's needs
Africa map - file CAIRO - 15 April 2025: Head of the State Information Service (SIS), Journalist Diaa Rashwan emphasized that Egypt's return to its pivotal and effective role on the African scene over the past ten years has proven that there is no alternative to Egypt's role in the continent, despite the growing international competition for influence in Africa. Rashwan added that Egypt is part of Africa's shared geography and history, and bears a responsibility and mission towards its peoples and countries, which has led it to place the continent's interests at the top of Egypt's priorities. He pointed out that African peoples appreciate Egypt's position and look forward to further cooperation with it, which motivates continued Egyptian efforts for the common present and future of the continent's peoples. The SIS Chairman explained that Egypt has recognized Africa's needs and has placed achieving stability across the continent at the top of its priorities, followed by development and catching up with global progress. He noted that Cairo continues its efforts at the global, regional, and bilateral levels to achieve these two goals. Rashwan pointed out that Egypt represents Africa's voice in international forums, especially after it regained its international standing. "Egypt has been keen to speak on behalf of the continent at the United Nations and its organizations, and in international gatherings such as BRICS, which Egypt joined in 2024, and the Group of Eight (G8), whose summit Egypt hosted last December," he added. In the same context, Rashwan stressed that Egypt seeks to contain crises and conflicts in the Middle East and prevent them from spilling over into Africa. He emphasized that the security of the two continents is intertwined, particularly in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean regions. He also noted the ongoing coordination between Egypt and South Africa, pointing to the fruitful meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, which confirmed the convergence of visions between the two countries regarding achieving peace and development on the continent. He added that Egypt is contributing its expertise and the efforts of its people to the implementation of dozens of projects in African countries, in addition to its support for human development and capacity-building programs in various fields, such as health, education, irrigation, agriculture, industry, security, administration, and diplomacy.
