ceasefire showcases Cairo’s ability to balance vision and credibility
US delegation credits Egypt’s leadership and intelligence service for achieving breakthrough
The historic ceasefire agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis, brokered and sponsored by Egypt, marks a decisive reaffirmation of Cairo’s central role in shaping the Middle East’s political and security landscape.
Once again, Egypt has demonstrated that no sustainable peace or regional framework can emerge without its involvement, leveraging both its seasoned diplomacy and its moral credibility across the Arab world.
At the heart of this diplomatic breakthrough stands President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s leadership which has combined firm principles with pragmatic engagement.
The negotiations, conducted under Egypt’s auspices, were the culmination of tireless efforts led by the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, an institution that has proven its deep understanding of regional complexities and its ability to manage high-stakes diplomacy with discretion and efficiency.
During his visit to Cairo, Steve Witkoff, the US President’s Envoy for the Middle East, captured the sentiment succinctly when he said at the Ittihadiya Palace: “Thank you first, and we are blessed to be here with you.” His words were not mere protocol, they were an acknowledgment that Egypt’s role was indispensable to the success of the ceasefire, a recognition that resonates far beyond the walls of the palace.
Witkoff went further, expressing gratitude for Egypt’s “tremendous, amazing team,” noting that “without your will and the skill of your team, we would not have completed the agreement.”
His remarks were echoed by Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Donald Trump, who praised both President Sisi and the Egyptian delegation for their decisive contribution.
Kushner emphasised that this deal “was very important to President Trump” and expressed hope that it would open a new chapter of peace and reconciliation in a region long scarred by conflict.
The language of appreciation from Washington’s envoys is not merely diplomatic courtesy, but also a political signal, one that underscores Egypt’s restored position as the indispensable mediator in the region.
In recent years, amid shifting alliances and evolving power dynamics, some speculated that Cairo’s influence might wane. Yet the successful mediation of this ceasefire has proven the opposite: Egypt remains the anchor of stability and the trusted interlocutor for all parties.
President Sisi’s foreign policy has consistently sought to re-establish Egypt as a “pivot for regional engineering” a nation capable of harmonising conflicting interests and promoting collective security.
The Gaza ceasefire stands as tangible proof of that strategy. It also reinforces Egypt’s credibility as a state that acts not out of self-interest, but out of a deep sense of responsibility towards regional peace and humanitarian values.
Moreover, the forthcoming visit of President Trump to Egypt, as announced by Witkoff, is expected to further consolidate the Egyptian-American partnership on the foundations of mutual respect and shared objectives.
For Washington, Egypt is once again viewed as an essential partner in the quest for Middle East stability. For Cairo, this moment reflects the dividends of a balanced foreign policy that prioritises dialogue over confrontation and constructive leadership over rhetoric.
Ultimately, the ceasefire is not merely an agreement to end hostilities, it is a political statement that Egypt’s voice still matters, and matters profoundly.
By restoring calm, saving lives, and reopening the path towards renewed diplomacy, Cairo has reaffirmed what history has long proven: the road to peace in the Middle East runs through Cairo.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s mediation in Gaza’s ceasefire is not an isolated diplomatic success but part of a long and consistent legacy.
From the 1978 Camp David Accords that reshaped the Arab-Israeli landscape to its pivotal role in ending the Gaza conflicts of 2014 and 2021, Cairo has repeatedly demonstrated that it possesses both the credibility and the leverage to bring adversaries to the negotiating table.
This latest achievement under President Sisi continues that tradition, reaffirming Egypt’s historic role as the cornerstone of peace-making and regional stability.
Mohamed Fahmy
is the editor-in-chief
of The Egyptian Gazette and
Egyptian Mail newspapers
[email protected]
