The appeal follows reports of Israeli air strikes near Rafah, a town that sits on the border between Egypt and Gaza. Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, the crossing was expected to reopen earlier in the week, but that has not yet happened.

In Cairo, residents expressed deep concern for the people of Gaza, describing them as family and urging for swift action to end their suffering. “This is the wish of all Egyptians — for the borders to open and for aid to reach Gaza. We just want this humanitarian crisis to end,” said one local resident.

Another Egyptian, Maryam, echoed similar feelings of solidarity. “They are our brothers and sisters. We will do all we can to help them,” she said.

Despite growing public pressure, Israeli authorities announced that the crossing would remain closed until further notice. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that its reopening depends on Hamas handing over the bodies of deceased hostages.

With the ceasefire under strain and accusations of violations on both sides, the delay in reopening Rafah has worsened conditions for civilians in Gaza. Meanwhile, Egyptian Red Crescent vehicles carrying food, medical supplies, and mobile clinics remain stationed at the border, waiting for clearance to enter the enclave.

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The late-night meeting came shortly after Egypt toned down its political and media criticism of Jerusalem, reportedly at the urging of the United States.

Talks centered on the Rafah border crossing, the flow of goods and people between Egypt and Gaza, and Israel’s military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor — a strip of land along the border that has become a focal point of the conflict.

One of the key disputes raised during the discussions involved Israel’s installation of surveillance towers along the corridor. Egyptian officials argued the move undermines their national security and could be seen as a violation of past peace agreements.

The four-hour visit highlights the fragile balance between cooperation and mistrust in Egyptian-Israeli relations, particularly as the war in Gaza continues to escalate.

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The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, more than a decade in the making, is expected to generate over 5,000 megawatts of power when fully operational. For Ethiopia’s 120 million citizens—many of whom still lack reliable electricity—the project promises a brighter future and the chance to export surplus energy across the region.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has framed the dam as an engine for development and national pride, saying it offers opportunity rather than danger. Already, two turbines are generating electricity, and officials see the project as key to industrial growth and rural electrification.

But downstream, Egypt views the dam as an existential risk. With about 90% of its fresh water coming from the Nile, Cairo fears droughts could be devastating if Ethiopia controls the river’s flow. Egypt has long demanded binding agreements on how the dam is filled and operated, a stance supported by Sudan, though Sudan also hopes for benefits like flood control and affordable energy.

Talks over the years have failed to reach consensus, fueling tensions between the two nations. At one point, former U.S. President Donald Trump even warned the situation could lead to conflict.

Despite the disputes, independent studies suggest Ethiopia’s careful, phased reservoir filling has so far avoided major disruptions downstream, thanks in part to favorable rainfall. Inside Ethiopia, the project has become a rare source of unity in a country often divided by internal conflict.

Funded almost entirely by Ethiopians through government support, bonds, and donations, the dam is seen not just as an infrastructure project but as a statement of sovereignty. While much of rural Ethiopia still awaits connection to the national grid, leaders insist the dam will eventually transform the country’s energy landscape.

For now, however, the divide with Egypt looms large, with both sides signaling that the struggle over the Nile is far from over.

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The train, which was traveling from Marsa Matruh on the northern coast to Cairo, went off the tracks on Saturday. Seven carriages derailed, with two overturning, causing chaos and panic among passengers.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Officials confirmed that all three victims’ bodies are now with prosecutors.

Egypt’s transport and railway authorities have launched an investigation to determine what caused the derailment. They promised that anyone found responsible will face consequences. Technical teams are already working to clear the wreckage and restore service.

The country’s health minister visited the crash site and later checked on patients in hospital, offering condolences to families of the victims and wishing the injured a full recovery.

Rail accidents are sadly not uncommon in Egypt, often linked to poor infrastructure and limited investment. One of the deadliest incidents occurred in 2002, when a fire on a train killed more than 370 people.

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On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in Cairo to discuss ways of reviving stalled talks. A Hamas delegation also joined discussions with both mediators.

Abdelatty explained that Egypt and Qatar are working to apply “maximum pressure” on all sides to agree to a truce. He said mediators are considering a plan for a 60-day ceasefire, during which broader negotiations could take place to bring the conflict to an end.

The talks also touched on the release of hostages. Mediators indicated they were open to negotiating the release of all captives in exchange for halting the war.

The urgency is underscored by the worsening humanitarian crisis. Gaza’s health ministry reports that more than 62,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, while food, water, and shelter remain scarce for survivors.

Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s strong opposition to any attempts to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza, rejecting Israeli proposals that present the idea as “voluntary migration.” He warned that such moves would amount to forced expulsion and could destroy Palestinians’ hopes for an independent state.

“Egypt will not take part, and will not allow, any such plans,” Abdelatty said, urging other nations not to engage in what he called a “heinous crime.”

For Egypt and Qatar, reviving the ceasefire is not only about ending the bloodshed but also about preserving the possibility of a just and lasting peace.

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Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development met with South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation during the gathering, which was hosted by South Africa. Both ministers emphasized the need for deeper cooperation and shared ambitions for a more inclusive global financial system.

During the talks, Egypt expressed its appreciation for the continued invitation to participate in the G20 meetings and its readiness to work with South Africa during its G20 presidency. A key priority for both sides is to push forward reforms that will improve access to development financing and support Africa’s economic transformation.

The two ministers highlighted the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a critical driver of growth and regional integration. They also called for stronger collaboration on major infrastructure projects—such as the Cairo–Cape Town Corridor—that are essential to boosting competitiveness and unlocking the continent’s potential.

Egypt shared updates on its structural reform agenda and climate initiatives, particularly its “NWFE” programme designed to attract climate finance. This initiative, along with South Africa’s national climate platform, was recently featured in a major international development conference.

South Africa’s representative commended Egypt’s ongoing efforts to champion development across the continent and its leadership role in major African institutions. She also praised Egypt’s continued work in representing Africa’s interests on the global stage.

Both countries welcomed the final declaration from the G20 meetings, which included commitments to expand social safety nets, tackle illicit financial flows, and strengthen domestic resource mobilization as key strategies to close the continent’s development gaps.

The meeting ended with a renewed sense of partnership, with both sides agreeing that a more united Africa can play a stronger role in shaping global development policies.

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In Cairo, Putin highlighted the growing economic cooperation between Egypt and Russia, noting that trade between the two countries reached a record $9 billion last year. He also referred to Egypt’s historical role during World War II, emphasizing the shared fight against Nazism as a foundation for their long-standing relationship.

During his meeting with President Lula da Silva, Putin expressed appreciation for Brazil’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with Russia. He noted that trade relations between the two nations are expanding, with Brazil playing a key role in Russia’s economic connections with Latin America and the Caribbean.

Russia commemorated Victory Day with a large military parade in Moscow, attended by several foreign leaders. The event is seen as a demonstration of Russia’s global alliances and its continuing effort to assert influence amid ongoing tensions with the West.

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During a meeting in Athens, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi highlighted the project’s potential to supply Europe with competitively priced green energy, especially wind and solar power produced in Egypt.

The high-capacity cable, with a planned output of 3,000 megawatts, is expected to cost around 4 billion euros and could be operational within five years. The initiative is being supported by both governments, with investment from private companies including Greece’s Copelouzos Group.

President el-Sissi described the project as a strategic breakthrough, emphasizing its regional and international significance as the first direct clean energy link from Egypt to Europe. He also called for continued backing from European partners to ensure the project’s success.

The energy partnership is part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and diversify supply routes into Europe.

In addition to energy cooperation, the leaders discussed enhancing regional security, addressing migration issues, and deepening Egypt’s ties with Europe. Agreements were also reached to facilitate seasonal employment for Egyptian workers in Greece and expand collaboration in financial, defense, and cultural sectors.

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 Dear Journal,

June 27th

I am taking a few minutes to check in with you before we are back on the bus heading to our hotel in Israel. Right now, I am sitting in a little hotel at St. Catherine’s, very close to the base of Mount Sinai in Egypt. We arrived here yesterday and had dinner.

There was an option to take the midnight climb to the top of Mt. Sinai to see the sunrise. Participants would hike to the 7,497-foot (2,285-mt.) peak in the predawn darkness, witness the first light illuminating the mountaintop chapel and mosque, and then descend to the 6th-century Monastery of St. Catherine, built where Moses is believed to have seen the Burning Bush. I did not pack the clothes or shoes to make such a climb, nor did I have the will to climb that long in the dark. Instead, I appreciated just being near the mountain and admiring its beautiful peaks. The testimonies of those who made the trek were inspiring. They spoke about the diverse nations represented there and the worship songs groups sang in their native tongues.

My memorable moment was taking a small tour of St. Catherine’s Monastery after breakfast. The hotel is only a few miles from the monastery. As our bus dropped us off, it was also picking up people who were coming down the mountain.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery, officially the Sacred Autonomous Royal Monastery of Saint Catherine of the Holy and God-Trodden Mount Sinai, is a Christian monastery located in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. It was built between 548 and 565, and is the world’s oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. Built by orders of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, it encloses what is claimed to be the burning bush seen by Moses. Centuries later, the purported body of Saint Catherine of Alexandria was taken to the monastery, turning it into an important pilgrimage site and eventually renaming it after the saint.

Controlled by the autonomous Church of Sinai, which is part of the wider Greek Orthodox Church, the monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002 for its unique importance in the traditions of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The site also holds the world’s oldest continually operating library, with unique or extremely rare works, such as the Codex Sinaiticus and the Syriac Sinaiticus, as well as possibly the largest collection of early Christian icons, including the earliest known depiction of Jesus as Christ Pantocrator.

It is a small area to walk around, but I was most fascinated by Moses’ Well. North of the catholicon, there is preserved to this day the well at which Moses met the seven daughters of Jethro, as recorded in the scriptures (Exodus 2:15-22). The water is still used by the community, by means of a pump. Imagine standing where Moses encountered the next season of his destiny after he had fled Egypt.

We returned to the hotel only to grab our things from our rooms and wait in the lobby for the next destination. We will be crossing the Israel-Egypt border soon. Egypt has been amazing, and I know we haven’t even seen everything. I will need to return again.

This is part 3 of an 8 part series.

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