Egypt Hosts Separate Summits With Saudi Crown Prince, Palestinian President
Cairo is hosting two separate summits today, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meeting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The meeting between el-Sisi and bin Salman is expected to focus on regional issues, including developments in the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea, as well as the security of supply chains. The discussions with Abbas will center on the Palestinian situation, particularly the ongoing conflict in Gaza, recent talks among Palestinian factions in Cairo, and the future role of the Palestinian Authority under Egyptian auspices.
According to Zaher Al-Kashif, director of Masawa Channel in Gaza, the situation on the ground in Gaza remains dire, with continued shelling, assassinations, and blockades. He believes a significant change is unlikely before the upcoming Israeli elections in late October, suggesting Gaza has become a tool in Israeli election propaganda due to the government's failure to achieve its stated war objectives. Al-Kashif also stated that Israel is unlikely to agree to a truce that could embarrass its right-wing government, especially while Hamas remains armed.
Al-Kashif highlighted Egypt's crucial role in preventing the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, a topic likely to be discussed between el-Sisi and Abbas. He also touched upon the Palestinian Authority's limited but ongoing role in Gaza, including salary payments, facilitating aid, and garnering international support for the Palestinian cause. Despite the political division, PA institutions like health services and schools continue to operate in Gaza.
For the Saudi Crown Prince, the Bab el-Mandeb strait and its importance for Saudi oil exports and trade routes are a primary concern, potentially more so than Gaza. Al-Kashif views the Bab el-Mandeb situation as part of a broader regional conflict involving Iran and the US, emphasizing its impact on Red Sea navigation, Suez Canal traffic, and global supply chains. Saudi Arabia is reportedly seeking regional and international alliances to counter what it perceives as Houthi "blackmail" supported by Iran, as US efforts have focused more on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.
