US sends $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt

The US State Department announced on Thursday the unconditional release of USD 1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt, as Cairo and Washington work together to mediate a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Last year, the US made part of this annual aid contingent on Egypt’s progress in human rights. 

However, this year, the State Department acknowledged that Egypt had made "progress" in certain areas of human rights, particularly noting Cairo's role in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza.

A State Department spokesperson said, "This decision aims to promote regional peace and reflects Egypt’s ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, especially in securing a ceasefire in Gaza."

The US, Egypt, and Qatar are involved in negotiations to release detainees held in Gaza and to halt the military operation, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths.

The spokesperson also highlighted Egypt’s key role in "strengthening the ceasefire in Sudan," where a civil war has been raging for over 16 months.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed Congress of the aid allocation through a memorandum, as required by US law.

Washington often criticizes Egypt’s human rights record and imposes conditions on parts of its military aid. Last year, about USD 95 million of this aid was withheld due to human rights concerns.

Since 2022, President Sisi has initiated a "National Dialogue" and released hundreds of political prisoners, but human rights activists claim that three times as many were arrested during the same period.