Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi today called on US President Donald Trump to intervene to end Israel’s war on Gaza, describing the humanitarian situation in the besieged Palestinian enclave as “unbearable.”
In a recorded speech, El-Sisi appealed directly to Trump, saying he believes the US President has the influence needed to push for a ceasefire and facilitate urgent humanitarian aid deliveries.
“My personal estimation of President Trump—given his stature and capability—is that he is the one who can stop the war and end this suffering,” El-Sisi said. “Please, exert all efforts. I believe the time has come to act.”
Gaza's population is suffering from famine worsening at unprecedented levels, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office, affecting 2.4 million people. So far, 133 starvation-related deaths have been reported, including 87 children.
The deteriorating situation stems from a broken ceasefire agreement, announced in January, which Israel refused to implement. The deal was expected to last until the end of its offensive on Gaza. Instead, the occupation army resumed its military campaign on March 18—which began on Oct. 7, 2023—and simultaneously blocked humanitarian aid from entering the territory.
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepened in recent days, calls to reopen the Rafah border crossing surged on social media. The Egyptian government, however, continues to insist the crossing remains open on its side and has not been closed at any point during the Gaza crisis. Meanwhile, control of the Palestinian side of the crossing has been in the hands of Israel since May 7, 2024.
“Egypt has insisted on playing a constructive role with Qatar and the US since October 7,” El-Sisi asserted, adding, “Our focus has been threefold: stop the war, deliver aid, and secure the release of hostages.”
In response to criticism, El-Sisi reiterated that Cairo will not allow forced displacement of Palestinians into Egypt—a scenario he warned would sabotage prospects for a two-state solution.
“There’s been a lot of talk, so I want to remind everyone of our consistent stance: calling for an end to the war, supporting the two-state solution, and seeking a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian cause,” he said.
In January, the Trump administration proposed that Egypt and Jordan take in some Palestinians from Gaza. The idea was swiftly rejected by Arab states and condemned by human rights groups as a form of ethnic cleansing.
Regarding the entry of humanitarian aid, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed that Gaza requires between 600 and 700 trucks per day. He noted that “the volume of aid we’ve had on our side since the start of the crisis is very large, but it requires coordination with the other side of the crossing.”
He added, “We cannot block the entry of aid — neither our ethics, nor our moral or national values, nor the current circumstances allow for that.”
Over the past few days, a limited number of trucks have entered Gaza via Zikim and Karm Abu Salem crossings under a new EU-Israel agreement—the first such entry since March.
“The conditions in Gaza have turned tragic over the past months,” El-Sisi said. “The situation is now unbearable.”
Addressing “the Egyptian people,” he added, “Never think we will play a passive role toward our Palestinian siblings. Our role has always been principled, honorable, and unwavering.”
Mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the US are still ongoing in pursuit of a 60-day ceasefire, which would include the release of 28 Israeli captives—14 alive and 14 killed—in exchange for Palestinian detainees, alongside urgent humanitarian aid and a partial Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza.
