US President Donald Trump expressed optimism following a productive phone conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, focusing on pressing regional issues such as Gaza and Yemen.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday April 1, Trump described the call as “going very well,” highlighting discussions about military progress, specifically the US strikes against Houthi insurgents in Yemen, as well as potential solutions for the Gaza crisis. While details were sparse, Trump mentioned military preparedness and possible strategies for Gaza among the topics covered.
Trump’s comments come amid continuing tensions in Gaza, where he has previously proposed a controversial plan for the mass displacement of the Palestinian population in a bid to turn the territory into a real estate development zone. The proposal has been widely rejected by Palestinians and other Arab nations, though it has garnered some support from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has put forward its own plan focused on reconstruction, although the US has expressed disappointment with it.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has also seen Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking Red Sea shipping lanes in an apparent show of solidarity with Palestinians. These actions have disrupted vital trade routes, prompting US military strikes against the Houthis to protect maritime traffic. Trump, who has had a long-standing relationship with President Sissi, further solidified the bond between the US and Egypt, with the latter being a key recipient of American military aid. Despite human rights concerns surrounding Sissi’s government, the close ties between the two leaders remain a significant element of US foreign policy in the region.
