On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas called for reinforcing the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. The leaders met in Brussels ahead of the inaugural Egypt-EU summit, marking a significant step in deepening bilateral ties and addressing pressing regional challenges.
The ceasefire, which entered its first phase on October 10, 2025, is part of a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump aimed at halting hostilities between Hamas and Israel. The agreement has been hailed as a critical opportunity to stabilize the region, though challenges remain in moving to subsequent phases. During the meeting, President Sisi underscored Egypt’s commitment to working closely with the European Union to ensure the ceasefire’s success and to implement Trump’s broader plan for Gaza. According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, Sisi emphasized “the importance of underpinning the ceasefire, ensuring the regular entry of humanitarian aid, and starting the reconstruction process of the Gaza Strip.”
The Gaza Strip, home to approximately 2.4 million Palestinians, has been devastated by prolonged conflict, with infrastructure, homes, and essential services in ruins. The United Nations has estimated that rebuilding the enclave could cost around $70 billion, a staggering sum that underscores the scale of the humanitarian and economic crisis. Sisi highlighted Egypt’s proactive role in addressing this crisis, announcing plans to host an international conference in November 2025 to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction and recovery. This conference is expected to bring together global stakeholders to coordinate efforts and secure funding for the massive rebuilding effort.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, expressed strong support for the ceasefire and Trump’s Gaza plan, describing it as “a positive step” toward peace. She affirmed the EU’s eagerness to play an active role in the plan’s implementation, including supporting the upcoming reconstruction conference in Egypt. Kallas also stressed the importance of preserving the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank, as a key institution for Palestinian governance and stability. The EU, she noted, stands ready to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction, including through financial and technical assistance.
The ceasefire agreement itself has faced hurdles as both sides navigate its terms. Israeli media outlets have reported that Israel is conditioning the start of the second phase of the agreement on the return of the bodies of its remaining captives held in Gaza. Hamas, on the other hand, has indicated that it requires additional time and resources to locate and recover these bodies, creating a potential sticking point in the negotiations. Despite these challenges, both Egypt and the EU remain committed to advancing the process, with Sisi and Kallas emphasizing the need for sustained international support to ensure the ceasefire holds.
The Brussels meeting also highlighted the strengthening of Egypt-EU relations, which were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in March 2024. This partnership has paved the way for closer cooperation on a range of issues, from security and counterterrorism to economic development and regional stability. The upcoming Egypt-EU summit is expected to further solidify this relationship, with discussions likely to focus on trade, energy, and collaborative efforts to address conflicts in the Middle East.
Egypt has long played a pivotal role in mediating between Israel and Palestinian factions, including Hamas, leveraging its geographic proximity and diplomatic influence to broker ceasefires and facilitate humanitarian aid. The country’s efforts have been particularly critical in Gaza, where it has worked to ensure the delivery of food, medical supplies, and other essentials through the Rafah border crossing. Sisi’s call for regular humanitarian aid reflects Egypt’s ongoing commitment to alleviating the suffering of Gaza’s residents, many of whom face dire living conditions amid the ongoing conflict.
Kallas’s remarks underscored the EU’s broader commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Middle East. The EU has been a major donor of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territories and has consistently advocated for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By endorsing Egypt’s reconstruction conference and pledging support for Gaza’s recovery, the EU is positioning itself as a key partner in the international effort to rebuild the enclave and address the root causes of the conflict.
As the November conference approaches, global attention will turn to Egypt’s leadership in galvanizing support for Gaza’s reconstruction. The success of these efforts will depend on sustained international cooperation, adequate funding, and the ability to navigate the complex political dynamics between Israel, Hamas, and other stakeholders. For now, the joint commitment of Egypt and the EU to strengthen the ceasefire and prioritize humanitarian aid offers a glimmer of hope for Gaza’s war-weary population, signaling a shared resolve to move toward a more stable and prosperous future for the region.
