President Sisi, Saudi crown prince to discuss Gaza war, Red Sea security in NEOM meeting

CAIRO – 21 August 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is heading to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for talks with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the ongoing war in Gaza and Red Sea security, among other key issues.

The visit comes in response to an invitation from the Saudi crown prince, according to a statement by the Presidency. The talks, set to take place in the city of NEOM, will also cover a range of regional developments, including the situations in Lebanon, Syria, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen.

Discussions will focus on strengthening the strategic partnership between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, serving their shared interests across political, economic, and developmental fields.

The visit underscores the deep-rooted and historic ties between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and reflects the commitment of both leaderships to further enhance bilateral relations, the statement added.

It also aims to bolster coordination and consultation on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Their meeting comes while Egypt and Qatar are pressing for a ceasefire in Gaza, in a bid to end the war that has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians over the past 22 months.

The two Arab mediators recently submitted a proposal for a 60-day truce, based on an earlier plan put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, which would see Hamas release half of the captives they hold — both living and deceased.

Hamas has accepted the proposal, while Israel is expected to respond on Friday.