CAIRO – 10 October 2023: Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi stressed that Egypt is committed to Arab issues, and mainly the Palestinian Cause. He also noted that Egypt has intensified its efforts to halt the military confrontations, and as a result, save Palestinian lives. “The current escalation is so dangerous and has consequences that can jeopardize regional security and stability” President Sisi said. Israeli and Palestinian government officials have confirmed that they up to 15 massacres have been committed by the Israeli forces so far. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by declaring a "state of war," and Israeli jets continued to carry out relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

CAIRO – 10 October 2023: As the fourth day of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontations continue; sources within the Gaza Strip have told Youm7 newspaper that Israel used prohibited white phosphorus against Palestinians in Al Karama area, north of Gaza. This usage of prohibited weapons comes in conjunction with intensified and violent raids against the strip as a response for Hamas operation ‘Toofan Al-Aqsa’ carried out since Saturday against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by declaring a "state of war," and Israeli jets continued to carry out relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. He also noted that Egypt has intensified its efforts to halt the military confrontations, and as a result, save Palestinian lives. “The current escalation is so dangerous and has consequences that can jeopardize regional security and stability” President Sisi said.

High-ranking Egyptian sources have warned that Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and calls for the collective displacement of Palestinians are aimed at destroying the Palestinian issue. The sources told Daily News Egypt that Cairo’s vision was far-sighted when it warned of the situation and its repercussions on the constants of the Palestinian issue. They emphasized that calls for displacement are capable of emptying Gaza Strip of its inhabitants and undermining the Palestinian cause itself. Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a form of collective punishment that is causing immense suffering to the Palestinian people. Calls for the displacement of Palestinians are even more dangerous, as they would have devastating consequences for the Palestinian cause.

Egypt - The Ministry of Finance is planning to sell its 20% stake in ALEXBANK to Intesa Sanpaolo Group, the Italian banking group that owns about 80% of the bank, sources close to the deal told Daily News Egypt. The deal is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024 and is valued at around $150-175m, according to the sources. The sources said that the negotiations for the acquisition started in February last year and that ALEXBANK is the first government-owned bank to be privatized. The International Finance Corporation, which had a 9.75% stake in the bank, sold it to Intesa Sanpaolo Group in 2020 for $162m. A government document reviewed by the stock exchange revealed that the Egyptian government intends to exit some of its holdings in other companies as well, aiming to raise $5bn from October 2023 to June 2024.

The health authorities in Gaza said that the Israeli air strikes targeted residential buildings and infrastructure, forcing more than 120,000 people to flee their homes. The Israeli army admitted that it was facing a large number of casualties and hostages and that it had summoned 300,000 reserve soldiers to join the battle. The Israeli Air Force confirmed that it had lost two of its planes. The Israeli army said that it had detected some “suspects” who had infiltrated from Lebanon into Israel and that it had deployed its forces in the area. Hama’s operation came in the commemoration of the 50 years of the Egyptian victory over Israel on the 6th of October 1973.

The Egyptian government, in collaboration with the private sector, has launched an initiative to reduce the prices of essential goods, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly revealed. The initiative will also reduce the prices of live and frozen poultry and eggs by 15%. This came during a Monday press conference, to reveal the details of an agreement between the government and private sector regarding the initiative to reduce prices of basic commodities. To address this, the responsible entities called for the availability and provision of hard currency to increase the supply and subsequently reduce prices. An agreement was reached with the private sector and industry professionals to streamline procedures in the future.

A report by the Ministry of Transport released in July highlighted that Bashtil Train Station had a daily capacity of 250,000 passengers. The station consists of a built-up area of 112,000 square meters, and train tracks extending on 166,000 square meters. The project also comprises shopping malls that span over 42,000 square meters, and provides 3,500 direct and indirect job opportunities. The chairman of the Egyptian Railway Authority (ERA) told press in 2020 that Bashtil Train Station was planned to serve citizens moving to and from Upper Egyptian governorates. He added that the goal of its establishing was alleviating the load on Ramses Train Station.

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As the conflict intensifies, civilians, including vulnerable children and families, face mounting challenges in accessing essential food supplies, with food distribution networks disrupted and food production severely hampered by hostilities. WFP is prepared to respond swiftly with pre-positioned food stocks for people who have been displaced or are in shelters, when the situation allows, as well as resuming its regular food and cash-based transfer assistance to vulnerable people. While most shops in the affected areas in Palestine currently maintain one month of food stocks, these risk being depleted swiftly as people stock up in fear of a prolonged conflict. WFP has been steadfast in providing crucial food assistance, serving approximately 350,000 Palestinians monthly, and extending aid to nearly one million Palestinians in collaboration with other humanitarian partners through its cash-based transfers platform. These developments follow a devastating cut in assistance for 60 percent of WFP food aid recipients since June 2023, due to funding shortfalls, leaving only 150,000 people receiving reduced rations.

Samir made these remarks during a speech delivered on behalf of Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, during the 21st Annual Meeting of the Indian Real Estate Developers' Association, which took place in Sharm El Sheikh and was attended by a significant number of Indian business leaders. The Minister of Trade and Industry acknowledged India as one of the leading countries in real estate development, with the Indian Real Estate Developers' Association playing an active role in developing this industry in India. He further highlighted Egypt's appreciation for the significant experience of Indian real estate developers and India's importance as a key partner in this field. These measures have contributed to increasing foreign direct investments in real estate and infrastructure projects. He invited participants in the forum to explore investment opportunities in the Egyptian real estate market and translate them into tangible projects in Egypt's real estate development sector.

CAIRO - 8 October 2023:Egypt is in negotiations with three international companies to manufacture mobile phones locally in the near future, according to the Egyptian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat. Talaat stated in remarks to "Bloomberg", on Saturday, that Egypt aims to grow the telecommunications and information technology sector by more than 16 percent in the current fiscal year 2023/2024. During his speech at the Techne Summit at the Alexandria Library, Talaat mentioned that there are partnerships with many international entities to provide advanced technical training. He added that the Ministry is particularly interested in Egypt's Digital Innovation Centers, which play a significant role in training. It is planned to open more Digital Innovation Centers, with the number expected to reach 25 by 2024.

CAIRO - 8 October 2023: Israel has warned its citizens of travelling to Middle East countries, including Egypt, as well as other countries with travel warnings a day after the Israeli government announced the “state of war” against Hamas fighters in Gaza. The Israeli announcement also comes shortly after an Egyptian policeman opened fire on a group of Israeli tourists in Alexandria, killing two of them as well as one Egyptian and injured another person. Egypt, which receives millions of tourists annually including Israelis, rarely witnesses any attacks against visitors. Over the past years, Egypt and Israeli have been keen to increase their direct flights with Israeli tourists enjoying charming destinations in South Sinai, Cairo and other parts of the country. In 2021, Egypt helped broker a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, putting an end to a major 11-day fighting that claimed around 250 lives, mainly in Gaza.

Samir stated that the real estate sector in Egypt accounts for more than 20% of the GDP, and plays a vital role in driving growth, investment, and job creation. He said that these measures have increased foreign direct investments in the real estate sector and infrastructure projects. He affirmed the Egyptian government’s commitment to improving the business climate in the real estate sector by enhancing transparency, simplifying procedures, and offering many opportunities for growth and investment. He invited the forum’s participants to explore the Egyptian market and establish cooperation projects in the real estate sector. Samir also highlighted Egypt’s membership in the BRICS, which he said was a great opportunity for Egypt and India to strengthen their cooperation in the real estate sector and other fields.

Indian ambassador Ajit Gupte planted small plants on Monday as a symbol of friendship between the two countries to commemorate the 154th birthday of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi in Cairo. Participants also laid flowers at the bust of Gandhi in Horreya Park in Zamalek, which was installed in 2019, and sang some of Gandhi’s favorite bhajans (hymns). Ambassador Gupte and Sultan planted two small plants as a symbol of friendship during the occasion. The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi has been celebrated globally as the International Day of Non-violence since 2007. Every year, events are organized on 2 October to commemorate and uphold Gandhi’s philosophy and principles.

CAIRO – 8 October 2023: Egypt expressed its sincere condolences to Afghanistan over the victims of the 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the west of the country Saturday morning, killing more than 2,000 people and injuring 1,240. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid stressed Egypt’s full solidarity with the Afghan people in this ordeal, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. A total of 1,320 houses were completely destroyed, and thousands of people were buried under the debris of the buildings as a result of the devastating earthquake.