BAGHDAD, May 17 (MENA) – Arab leaders called for an immediate cessation of the war on the Gaza Strip and an end to all hostile acts against civilians.

In the “Baghdad Declaration” issued by the 34th Arab League Summit on Saturday, they urged swift action to stop the bloodshed, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and provide political, financial, and legal support to the joint Arab-Islamic plan adopted at the extraordinary summit in Cairo and the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Jeddah, concerning Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.

The leaders expressed their appreciation to Egypt for hosting the emergency Arab Summit held in Cairo on March 4, 2025, dedicated to addressing the serious and fateful developments in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. They also thanked Bahrain for its efforts during its presidency of the 33rd Arab Summit in promoting unity and supporting joint Arab action. (MORE)

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CAIRO, May 17 (MENA) – The speech of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Baghdad-hosted Arab Summit underlined the need for Arab unity to address regional crises, experts told MENA.

President Sisi said: “It is with a sense of historical significance that our summit convenes today, as our region grapples with intricate challenges and unprecedented circumstances. This moment urgently demands a unified stance and resolute willpower from all of us, leaders and peoples alike. ”

“We must stand united in word and deed, in order to safeguard the security of our nations and preserve the rights and resources of our esteemed peoples,” Sisi reiterated.

Strategic expert Hesham al-Halaby said President Sisi shed light on all challenges facing Arab nations, underscoring the need for having united ranks and stronger cooperation among Arab countries.

The president also focused on the need to settle the Palestinian cause, solve crises in Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Libya and Yemen and maintain stability in the Red Sea, al-Halaby said.

For his part, former assistant foreign minister Amr Ramadan said the President’s speech reflects the feelings of the Arab people, especially the Egyptians, on the unprecedented situation in the Arab world.

Ramadan cited Sisi’s call for the US mediation to pressurize Israel to halt its plots on the destruction of the Gaza Strip and forced displacement of Palestinians.

Former assistant foreign minister Rakha Ahmed Hassan said President Sisi’s speech touched upon all issues and challenges encountering the Arab world, underlining the need to reunite the Arab countries to handle such crises. (MENA)

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Lawyers across Egypt have begun implementing a two-day strike from attending criminal court sessions across the country, in compliance with the decisions of a joint meeting between the General Bar Association Council and branch syndicates throughout Egypt.

The strike is aimed at challenging the decision issued by the heads of the Courts of Appeal to impose fees under the guise of automated services, in violation of the constitution and the law.

Lawyers from Alexandria, Minya, Beni Suef, Sohag, Fayoum, Qalyubiya, Daqahlia, Menoufia, Sharqia, Kafr el-Sheikh, Giza, and Qena refrained from appearing before criminal courts on Sunday in protest against the increase in court fees and in compliance with the General Bar Association’s decision.

The head of the Bar Association, Abdel-Halim Allam, confirmed that he is monitoring the progress of the strike before all criminal courts nationwide through the Bar Association’s operations room.

The General Bar Association clarified in a statement that violators of the aforementioned strike will be referred to disciplinary action, suspended from practicing the profession, and all union services will be suspended.

The Association expressed its thanks and appreciation to all colleagues who complied with the decision, stressing that the current phase requires greater solidarity and a commitment to serving the nation and preserving the prestige of the Association and the dignity of lawyers.

It indicated that it is continuing its escalating measures against the imposition of fees under the guise of “automated services.”

The deputy head of the Alexandria Bar Association, Mohamed Youssef, said that lawyers responded to the General Bar Association’s decision to strike before criminal courts in protest against the unlawful imposition of fees.

The strike was documented before various courts.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday received the US Senior Advisor for Africa and Senior Advisor to the President on Arab and Middle Eastern Affairs Massad Boulos.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdel-Atty, Director of the General Intelligence Service Hassan Rashad, US Ambassador to Egypt Herro Mustafa Garg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa Joshua Harris were present.

The Spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, Mohamed al-Shennawy explained that the meeting addressed the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to restore regional stability.

President Sisi urged the reaching of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza Strip and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid.

He hailed the joint mediation efforts between Qatar, Egypt and the US, and affirmed Egypt’s commitment to continue this coordination.

Boulos assured of America’s commitment to continuing its joint efforts with Egypt to restore regional calm while satisfying the interests of all parties.

 

New hostage release proposal

The BBC reported that Cairo had presented a new proposal that includes the release of between eight and 10 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners, in addition to a ceasefire of 45 to 60 days, including the resumption of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli channel Kan reported that Hamas and Israel had agreed to conduct negotiations without mutual conditions.

 

Other topics

The meeting also addressed the situation in Libya and ways to restore stability. Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to a Libyan-Libyan solution.

Egypt has been and remains the country most impacted by Libya’s instability, the President stressed.

He added that it is also the most dedicated to supporting all proposed political settlement steps for a unified government backed by the Libyan people, with political support from the House of Representatives, the High Council of State, and the Presidential Council – whose core mission would be holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections.

The meeting also touched on the situation in Lebanon, Sudan, and Yemen. Both sides stressed the urgency of protecting the stability in these countries and safeguarding their resources, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The meeting also covered developments in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Sahel regions, and efforts to underpin stability in those regions. They discussed strengthening the role of governments and state institutions there to serve the interests of their people.

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A Kazakh tourist was killed and two others were injured on Sunday after an advertising billboard collapsed inside International Departure, Terminal II at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport on Sunday.

The passengers were waiting to board their flight to Astana on SCAT flight DV 2570.

The passengers were immediately transferred to Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital to receive the necessary medical care, the statement added.

Despite intensive medical efforts, one of them died from her injuries, while the condition of the two injured passengers stabilized after receiving the necessary first aid.

The Public Prosecution was immediately notified and began investigations to determine the circumstances of the incident. The flight was also cleared for takeoff after all required technical and security measures were taken.

The injured woman and her daughter were exempt from travel, and provided with hotel accommodation until they received the necessary medical care.

The Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry issued a statement expressing its sincere regret and condolences.

The statement continued: “As part of the Egyptian state’s commitment to immediate communication and providing all forms of support, a call was held between the Minister of Civil Aviation, the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan, and the Kazakh Consul in Cairo.”

“Sincere condolences were conveyed for this great loss, and an official, transparent investigation was confirmed by the Public Prosecution Office, and the necessary measures were taken to ensure full support for the passengers and their families,” the statement added.

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Monday’s weather will see temperatures continue to drop in the north of the country, Greater Cairo, and northern Upper Egypt.

The weather will remain hot during the day and extremely hot in South Sinai and southern Upper Egypt. It will become moderate at night and early morning in most areas.

Winds will be active in some areas and may cause dust storms, with morning fog on roads near water bodies.

Waves will be rough in the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea, rising 3.5 meters above sea level with wind speeds reaching 70 km/h.

Weather maps indicate active, intermittent winds across most areas, causing sand and dust storms in South Sinai, the south of the country, the Red Sea, and the Western Desert.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) advises avoiding sun exposure, especially between 12 noon and 3 pm, to avoid heat stress, particularly in Upper Egypt and South Sinai.

The EMA also advised citizens to wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothing, with hats or umbrellas for sun protection, and stay well-hydrated especially in hotter regions.

 

Temperatures expected for Monday:

• Matrouh: 24C
• Alexandria: 26C
• Cairo: 32C
• Hurghada: 36C
• Sharm El-Sheikh: 39C
• Aswan and Luxor: 47C

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

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Speaking at the European Parliament in Brussels on April 30, 2025, Egyptian Palestinian rights advocate Rahma Zein emphasized the power of European student movements in resisting rising far-right ideologies.

In a stark warning delivered alongside Rima Hassan, respected French politician and human rights advocate, Zein warned that the normalization of atrocities in Gaza and the ongoing occupation of Palestine are fueling extremist narratives. She urged students to stand firm, asserting that the youth movement represents a vital resistance against complicity and silence.

Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and a well-regarded advocate for peace and human rights, has been a powerful voice in European political circles, significantly amplifying awareness of the Palestinian cause.

Hassan, a fierce opponent of the expanding far-right across Europe, has relentlessly used her platform to contest policies that entrench injustice and inequality. Her leadership proved crucial in this event, compellingly highlighting the urgent imperative for European policymakers to confront the Palestinian issue. Hassan, who extended the invitation to Zein, has a long-standing record as a dedicated ally in the pursuit of global justice, consistently striving to position Europe as a strong advocate for human rights on the world stage.

Their collaboration convened diverse political forces for an open dialogue, tackling the perils of far-right rhetoric, the imperative of a united, peaceful resolution to the continuing crisis in Gaza.

Furthermore, Zein directly cautioned far-right politicians that that their racism resonates deeply and is closely scrutinized across the Arab region.

Zein stressed that Europe’s double standards—notably its failure to uphold Palestinian human rights—are keenly observed and will inevitably trigger far-reaching, global consequences.

 

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Egyptian champion Nour al-Sherbini, the Sporting Club player and world number two in women’s squash, has clinched the World Squash Championship title hosted in Chicago, USA, from May 9th to 18th, Youm7 reported. The tournament boasted a total prize money of $635,000 for both men and women.

In the final match, al-Sherbini triumphed over her compatriot Hania El Hammamy, the world number three, with a score of 3-1. The match lasted 60 minutes, with the individual game scores as follows: 11-5, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7.

With this victory, the world-class Egyptian squash player secures her eighth World Championship title, equaling the all-time record held by Malaysian legend Nicol David, who also won eight world championships before her retirement.

Prior to this season, al-Sherbini had already achieved seven World Championship titles in the following seasons: 2015, 2016, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023.

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Muslims worldwide are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the most significant days of the Islamic lunar year, as the anticipated date for Arafat Day and the first day of Eid al-Adha for the year 1446 Hijri draws near. These occasions stand as prominent Islamic rituals deeply connected to the Hajj pilgrimage season.

According to announced astronomical calculations, the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah will officially commence these blessed days. Across Muslim nations, spiritual and communal preparations are underway, with communities awaiting the official announcements from relevant authorities to precisely determine the dates.

Astronomical calculations predict that the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH will fall on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, with the Day of Arafat astronomically expected on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

Based on these astronomical calculations, the first day of Eid al-Adha 1446 AH is expected to be on Friday, June 6, 2025.

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Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie said that the 90-day reduction in transit fees was a well-considered and long-planned decision.

He indicated that they were waiting for the opportune moment for the reduction to have a significant impact, adding that he had met with all maritime agents and major companies to coordinate their return to transiting the Suez Canal.

During a phone-in interview on the “Yahdoth Fi Masr” (Happening in Egypt) program with journalist Sherif Amer, Rabie said that Evergreen and Maersk have begun organizing their schedules to resume sailing through the Suez Canal.

He expects that all major shipping companies will return to navigating the Suez Canal once the situation in the Red Sea calms down.

The current crisis facing the Suez Canal is more challenging than the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

He explained, “This period is longer, and we have lost $10.5 billion in a year and a half, which is a significant amount and has affected the Authority, morale, and everything else. During the COVID crisis, we did not incur losses, and we also implemented significant discounts.”

The fee reductions aim to incentivize companies to resume Suez Canal transits, a move that was universally welcomed, he said.

“We expect a return to navigation within a month, and more than one agency has started moving vessels, and ships are passing after the situation in the Red Sea has calmed down.”

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BAGHDAD, May 15 (MENA) – The foreign ministers of Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan underlined their rejection of the aggression in Gaza and urged a swift international action to save the Gaza Strip.

They held a plenary session in Baghdad on Wednesday within the framework of the trilateral cooperation mechanism between the three countries.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the preparatory ministerial meeting for the 34th Arab Summit, slated for Saturday.

The talks covered political and economic issues of mutual interest, and the three foreign ministers agreed to prepare a joint paper outlining the main points of consensus, in preparation for reviewing it during the upcoming trilateral summit.

During a joint press conference following the meeting, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty asserted Egypt’s firm rejection of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the forced displacement of the Palestinians.

He slammed the continued prevention of aid delivery into the Gaza Strip, considering this as shameful for the international community.

Meanwhile, he lauded Iraq’s preparations for hosting the Arab Summit, noting that holding the summit in Baghdad is cogent proof of Iraq’s stability and security.

He highlighted that regional stability cannot be achieved without a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause.

For his part, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the trilateral meeting witnessed great consensus in visions, especially regarding the Palestinian cause.

He also noted that energy and oil issues were discussed, along with preparations for the upcoming Egyptian-Iraqi-Jordanian summit.

Meanwhile, Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi confirmed that the Baghdad meeting addressed mechanisms to activate cooperation between the three countries.

He pointed out that “our common goal is to contribute to solving the region’s crises and confronting security and economic challenges.”

Safadi added “We agree on rejecting the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and we call on the international community to assume its responsibilities and take immediate action to save the Strip.”

He also stressed the necessity of halting the aggression on Syria and supporting efforts to rebuild it as Syria’s security is vital for regional stability. (MENA)

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CAIRO, May 15 (MENA) – Egypt strongly condemned the continued Israeli attacks on unarmed Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including strikes on medical and civilian infrastructure that killed more than 100 people on Thursday.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned of the consequences of these actions, which it said are the main cause of regional instability. It also held the Israeli government responsible for violations of international humanitarian law.

It also called on the international community to assume its responsibilities in confronting the injustice faced by Palestinians under occupation.

The statement renewed the call for accountability, mechanisms to protect the Palestinian people, and efforts to restore their rights to preserve the credibility of the international system. (MENA)

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Deputy Foreign Minister for Emigration and Egyptians Abroad Nabil Habashi affirmed that the ministry is closely monitoring the conditions of Egyptians residing in Libya around the clock, in light of the ongoing developments in the region.

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