![Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi meets CIA Director William Burns, in Cairo, Egypt on November 7, 2023. [Egyptian Presidency - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AA-20231107-32721677-32721676-ABDEL_FATTAH_ELSISI_WILLIAM_BURNS_IN_CAIRO-e1699455213237.jpg?fit=1200%2C585&ssl=1)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during a meeting on Tuesday with CIA Director William Burns. Talks between Sisi and the head of the US Central Intelligence Agency dwelt on a host of issues of mutual concern, especially the Israeli military escalation in the Gaza Strip, explained the Egyptian Presidency.
Sisi is reported to have “underlined the necessity of an immediate ceasefire [in Gaza] to protect civilians and facilitate access to humanitarian aid.” The CIA chief, meanwhile, reiterated “his keenness to pursuing close coordination with Egypt to address the ongoing crisis” in Gaza.
The presidential statement said that the meeting confirmed the strength of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the US and its pivotal role in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East. It also confirmed the mutual commitment to strengthen the long-standing cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
At least 10,328 Palestinians, including 4,237 children and 2,719 women, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since Hamas launched an attack on the occupation state on 7 October. According to official Israeli figures, almost 1,600 people have been killed in the occupation state.
Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacement of people, basic supplies are running perilously low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents due to the Israeli siege.
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