The two leaders exchanged greetings and best wishes for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan and engaged in cordial conversation reflecting the strength of the close ties between their two nations
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Cairo on a fraternal visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Upon their arrival at Cairo International Airport, His Highness and the accompanying delegation were received by His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
During a brief reception in the VIP lounge at the airport, His Excellency President El-Sisi warmly welcomed His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and his delegation.
The two leaders exchanged greetings and best wishes for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan and engaged in cordial conversation reflecting the strength of the close ties between their two nations.
His Highness is accompanied on the visit by a delegation that includes H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor to the UAE President; Ali bin Hammad Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for National Security; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr. Ahmed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the President’s Office for Strategic Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office; Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority; and Mariam Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
In another development, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday exchanged views with his Saudi Arabian and Egyptian counterparts on Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza.
In a phone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Araghchi strongly condemned Israel’s attacks in Gaza, and urged other countries in the region to take collective action, said the Iranian Foreign Ministry in a statement.
For his part, Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of Israeli aggressions and emphasized regional coordination to prevent further escalation.
In a separate phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Araghchi condemned Israel’s renewed attacks on Gaza as well as obstruction of humanitarian aid delivery to the Palestinian coastal enclave “in flagrant violation” of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
The Egyptian foreign minister underscored the need for consultations and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
Both Egyptian and Iranian ministers agreed to maintain consultations on regional developments.
Hamas Leader Killed
Salah al-Bardawil, a senior Hamas leader and member of its political bureau, was killed Sunday along with his wife in an Israeli airstrike that targeted his tent inside a camp for displaced persons west of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
Hamas sources said the bombing targeted a gathering of displaced people, resulting in a number of casualties. The sources considered the targeting of al-Bardawil a new escalation in Israeli attacks on the movement’s leaders as well as civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas mourned al-Bardawil, saying that he was a prominent political figure who had served as a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council for the Change and Reform Bloc and as one of the movement’s official spokespersons.
The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet.
The killing comes amid growing international calls to de-escalate the situation and protect civilians from the repercussions of the conflict.
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Hostage Deal
Israel has proposed a two-phase plan to the Hamas movement, through Egyptian mediators, for the release of hostages held in Gaza, well-informed Egyptian sources told Xinhua.
The initial phase of the proposal involves Hamas releasing 11 living hostages and the bodies of 16 deceased individuals. This would be followed by a 40-day truce.
Subsequently, in the second phase, Israel’s proposal calls for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages in a single batch.
The United States backs Israel’s proposal, which leverages “the current military pressure,” according to the sources.
Israel resumed strikes in Gaza on Tuesday, effectively ending a ceasefire with Hamas brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States that began on Jan. 19. Israeli forces subsequently launched ground operations across southern, northern, and central Gaza. In response, Hamas made several rocket launches targeting Israeli territory, most of which Israel said have been intercepted. ■
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