Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and former U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on Saturday about stabilizing the Gaza ceasefire, Egypt’s presidency announced. However, no mention was made of Trump’s controversial call for Palestinian resettlement in Egypt and Jordan.
The White House said the discussion emphasized Egypt’s role in securing the release of hostages from Gaza, highlighting Sisi’s confidence in Trump’s ability to bring peace. The Egyptian government stressed the importance of implementing the ceasefire agreement and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza’s struggling population.
While Egypt’s statement acknowledged the positive nature of the call, the White House release did not refer to the ceasefire. This omission raised questions about whether the leaders addressed Trump’s recent proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza.
Trump’s suggestion, made last week, has been widely criticized as an attempt at forced displacement. On Wednesday, Sisi firmly rejected the idea, calling it an “act of injustice,” while Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo on Saturday echoed his concerns. They warned that any forced transfer would destabilize the region and jeopardize peace efforts.
Despite tensions over the Palestinian issue, Sisi extended an invitation for Trump to visit Egypt to discuss broader Middle East challenges. Both sides also explored ways to strengthen economic and investment ties between their nations.
The conversation additionally touched on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a long-standing dispute that has fueled Egyptian fears over its vital water supply from the Nile River. Egypt has consistently opposed the project, citing concerns over its national security.
While the call reaffirmed cooperation between Egypt and the United States, the absence of discussion on Palestinian displacement left a key issue unresolved.