Egyptian President al‑Sisi says lasting Middle East peace requires Palestinian state

Cairo’s President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi used the inauguration ceremony of Egypt’s new Strategic Command Headquarters, dubbed the “Octagon,” to reaffirm the country’s longstanding support for a sovereign Palestinian state. Speaking to an audience of senior military officials and foreign dignitaries, Sisi highlighted the Octagon’s role as a modern hub for coordinating Egypt’s defense and security operations while underscoring the political imperative of a two‑state solution to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.

The Octagon, situated on the outskirts of the capital, represents Egypt’s latest investment in strategic infrastructure aimed at enhancing regional stability. By linking the military unveiling with a call for Palestinian statehood, the president signaled that Egypt intends to maintain diplomatic pressure on all parties to achieve a negotiated settlement, consistent with Arab League resolutions and previous Egyptian statements. The remarks come amid renewed tensions in the Gaza Strip and broader Middle‑East diplomatic efforts, positioning Egypt as a key mediator in the pursuit of a lasting peace framework.