Egypt's Al-Sisi working to release kidnapped Israeli settlers

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed that Egyptian post-coup president Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has promised the Israeli government to provide any assistance needed to find the kidnapped settlers, and to prevent any attempt to transfer them to the Gaza Strip or Sinai.

The newspaper added that Al-Sisi is “active behind the scenes” in efforts to free the kidnapped settlers.

It pointed out that the Egyptian role has started since Sunday when Israeli military representatives visited Egypt and met with Egyptian officials asking them for help. Al-Sisi was formerly in charge of security coordination with Israel and head of the military intelligence apparatus.

According to the newspaper, Al-Sisi has been closely following reports sent to him by Egyptian diplomats who are conducting intensive communications with both the West Bank and Israeli security agencies.

The newspaper quoted a senior official at the Egyptian Presidency as saying: “We believe that the three [settlers] are still alive and should be freed as soon as possible. Egypt will do everything at its disposal to prevent transporting them to another place, whether Gaza or Sinai.”

It added that Egypt has neither condemned the arrests recently carried out by the Israeli army in the West Bank, nor the closure of Hebron and Betlehem, and has not commented on the closure of Kerem Shalom crossing.