Egypt’s government has approved the establishment of a special free economic zone in New Alamein for Fujairah Alamein Oil and Gas Company, which is linked to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. The zone will cover about 738,000 square metres and will be used for storing and trading crude oil and various petroleum products.

Egypt’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade said the project aims to use New Alamein’s geographical location and infrastructure to expand regional energy trade. Under the government decision, the company must export all of its produced goods outside Egypt and use at least 50 percent local components in production.

The company must obtain environmental clearance and other required government approvals before implementing the project. The initiative follows earlier energy-sector cooperation between Egypt and Fujairah: in October 2025, the sides signed agreements on creating a logistics zone in Alamein for crude oil and petroleum-product storage and trade, including plans to develop and expand El-Hamra Petroleum Port.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said no country should be allowed to obstruct freedom of navigation, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. He made the remarks at a press conference in Al-Alamein on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera. Abdelatty described threats to maritime navigation as a direct threat to regional and international security.

He said disruptions to shipping are harming global supply systems. He stressed that freedom of navigation through all strategically important straits must be maintained in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The article said vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined significantly. It also reported renewed concern about security in the Red Sea and surrounding important sea routes. Abdelatty's comments placed the issue of uninterrupted maritime transit within the broader context of regional security and global supply-chain disruption.

Families of people killed or imprisoned after Egypt’s Rabaa crackdown called for the release of political prisoners on the 13th anniversary of the violence. The report, published on August 16, 2026, said the memory of the bloodshed at Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya Square remains vivid for relatives, many of whom also face the burden of prolonged political detention. They said accountability for the violence and prisoners’ release are necessary to address lasting social wounds.

On August 14, 2013, security forces attacked peaceful sit-ins by supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsi at Rabaa al-Adawiya and al-Nahda squares in Cairo. Human rights groups said hundreds were killed. Human Rights Watch estimated at least 817 deaths, with the total possibly exceeding 1,000. Rights groups allege that no security force member or responsible official has been held accountable, while many participants received lengthy prison terms.

In July, rights activists launched a campaign seeking fair, transparent reviews of all political-prisoner cases and their release. A family gathering in Cairo in May also demanded releases, but Human Rights Watch said several organizers and associated people were questioned and detained afterward. The report said Egyptian prisons hold more than 60,000 political prisoners, including over 1,000 women.

Hamas political leader and chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya is travelling to Cairo for discussions on a Gaza ceasefire, according to AFP and Anadolu, citing a Hamas source. The visit is al-Hayya’s first to Egypt since he assumed Hamas leadership at the end of July. He is scheduled to meet Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad on Sunday morning in the Egyptian capital.

The delegation will also include Hamas Shura Council head Mohammed Darwish, the group’s overseas leader Khaled Meshaal, West Bank affairs chief Zaher Jabarin, and Arab and Islamic relations office head Bassem Naim. The trip is viewed as significant for efforts to establish a Gaza ceasefire, as differences between Hamas and Israel over a truce remain and Egypt is launching a new mediation initiative.

Jared Kushner is due to visit Israel and Egypt next week with Tony Blair and Nikolay Mladenov. Officials said they will travel to Cairo after talks in Jerusalem to meet Egyptian leaders. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes, shelling and destruction of facilities killed two Palestinians and injured 14 on Saturday.

Egypt has described any plan to displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip as a “red line,” Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said in an interview with the Palestinian news agency Wafa. In remarks published on August 9, 2026, he warned that Egypt would use its full strength to prevent such an initiative. Abdelatty said plans to remove Palestinians from Gaza remain under discussion, but Cairo would neither accept nor allow their implementation.

The foreign minister said departures from Gaza cannot be termed voluntary relocation if conditions are created that make normal life impossible. Forcing people to leave their area would amount to coercion, he said, and would violate international law and the rights of people living under occupation. He reiterated Egypt’s position that Palestinians must be guaranteed the right to remain on their own land.

Abdelatty also voiced concern about conditions in the occupied West Bank, describing increasing violations against Palestinians as “silent annexation” and “de facto annexation.” He said such actions undermine the prospect of establishing an independent Palestinian state and make a two-state solution more difficult. He added that neither Israel nor the wider region could achieve lasting, sustainable security without recognition of Palestinian rights.

A drone strike hit a US-owned oil tanker anchored at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta, triggering a fire that spread to a nearby vessel, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Maritime security firm Ambrey said the attack targeted the US-owned tanker while it was at the port. The incident caused severe fires on two gas tankers, according to port services provider Inchcape.

Three commercial sources said the drone first struck the floating oil tanker Energos Winter, causing an immediate fire. The blaze later spread to another ship nearby, Gaslog Salem. Two separate security sources also confirmed that the explosion was caused by a drone attack.

Ambrey said all crew members and sailors aboard the tanker were quickly evacuated to safety after the explosion. The fire has since been brought under control. No party had claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of the report.

The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has officially extended the contract of national team coach Hossam Hassan following Egypt’s historic run in the World Cup. The decision, approved by the EFA board and announced by president Hany Abu Rida, secures Hassan’s position until 2030. Hassan, 59, took charge of the national team in February 2024 and led Egypt to the semifinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He revealed earlier that he had been managing the team without a formal contract since February.

Under Hassan’s leadership, Egypt achieved its first-ever World Cup victory, defeating New Zealand 3–1 in the group stage, and advanced to the knockout rounds for the first time since its debut in 1934. The team beat Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the round of 16, where they narrowly lost 3–2 to Argentina after leading 2–0 until the 78th minute.

Despite the elimination, Egypt’s spirited performance earned widespread praise, prompting the EFA to show long-term confidence in Hassan. Before coaching, he was one of Egypt’s football legends, holding the national record with 69 goals in 177 appearances.

The Egyptian Football Association has lodged a written complaint with FIFA against French referee François Letexier and his officiating team following Egypt’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16 in Atlanta. Egypt, which led 2–0 until the 78th minute, conceded three late goals and was eliminated from the tournament. The federation’s letter, signed by president Hany Abu Rida, alleges that a disallowed goal, a denied penalty appeal, and several key decisions unfairly went against Egypt. It has requested FIFA to investigate the incidents and to exclude Letexier from officiating further matches in the tournament.

Egyptian officials claim the disputed calls influenced the match outcome, asserting that the refereeing team played a decisive role in Argentina’s victory. Midfielder Mostafa Zizo, whose goal was disallowed by VAR, and head coach Hossam Hassan both expressed dissatisfaction, with Hassan suggesting commercial motives behind keeping Lionel Messi and Argentina in the competition.

FIFA has not yet issued any official response to Egypt’s complaint. The controversy adds to broader criticism of refereeing standards in the ongoing World Cup, where several matches have sparked debate over officiating quality.

Egypt’s national football coach Hossam Hassan said that anyone who does not feel the suffering of Palestinians is not human, regardless of nationality. He made the remarks during a press conference ahead of Egypt’s Round of 16 match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup. Hassan, who had earlier dedicated Egypt’s historic penalty shootout victory over Australia to the people of Palestine, also waved the Palestinian flag on the field, describing it as a natural human reaction.

Hassan emphasized that while people protest animal cruelty worldwide, the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians in missile attacks have become disturbingly normalized. He urged that humanity should come before religion or ethnicity and that everyone should stand with the oppressed. He added that his message through football aligns with FIFA’s call for mutual respect and the right to live with dignity.

According to the report, since the war began on October 7, 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, leaving many displaced amid destruction. Global protests and solidarity from athletes have followed.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that normalization of relations with Israel will not be possible until Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian territories. Speaking on Sunday, Sisi emphasized that lasting peace and genuine stability cannot be achieved without ending occupation, halting aggression, restoring rights to their rightful owners, and ensuring security for all.

Sisi, whose country became the first Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, reiterated that a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and Palestine is the only solution to the Middle East crisis. He said that fair peace would allow the region’s people to live in stability and prosperity.

The Egyptian leader also urged the international community to uphold the Gaza ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, claiming that more than a thousand Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the truce began.

Egypt made history by winning its first-ever World Cup knockout match, defeating Australia in a penalty shootout in Dallas, United States. The match ended 1-1 after regular and extra time, with Imam Ashour scoring early for Egypt and an own goal by Mohamed Hany leveling the score for Australia. Egypt secured a 4-2 win in the shootout, with decisive kicks from Hossam Abdelmaguid and missed attempts by Australia’s Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington.

After the match, Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan dedicated the victory to the people of war-torn Palestine, expressing prayers for their peace and honoring their resilience. His emotional message quickly spread across social media, sparking rare scenes of celebration in Gaza, where residents gathered amid ruins to watch the game on makeshift screens.

Videos shared online showed children with Egyptian flags painted on their faces and crowds cheering in the devastated streets. For many in Gaza, Egypt’s triumph brought a brief moment of joy and unity amid ongoing hardship.

In Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, Egypt achieved its first-ever World Cup victory, ending nearly a century of frustration. The team defeated their opponent 3–1, with Mohamed Salah playing a decisive role by scoring one goal and assisting another. The win brought Egypt to the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage, marking a historic moment for the nation’s football journey.

Egypt’s World Cup history has long been marked by disappointment. They first appeared in 1934 as the first African and Arab nation to play in the tournament but lost their only match. After returning in 1990, they again failed to win any of their three games. In 2018, despite Salah’s two goals, Egypt exited after three losses. Following a demanding club season, Salah returned to lead his country once more, turning past heartbreak into triumph.

Ahead of their final group match against Iran on Saturday, Egypt’s players now face the next challenge with renewed confidence, having finally lifted the burden of generations of missed opportunities.

Egypt secured its first-ever FIFA World Cup victory by defeating New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Despite trailing early to a header from New Zealand defender Finn Surman, Hossam Hassan’s team mounted a strong comeback to claim the win and move to the top of Group G with four points from two matches.

After a difficult first half, Egypt equalized through Mostafa Zizo’s header from a corner. The team grew in confidence as midfielder Imam Ashour controlled play and captain Mohamed Salah led from the front, scoring a decisive goal that turned the match in Egypt’s favor. Trezeguet sealed the result with a late header from another corner, confirming Egypt’s historic triumph.

With this result, Egypt leads Group G ahead of its final match against Iran, while New Zealand faces Belgium in a challenging situation after losing another lead.

Egypt has called on the United States and Iran to take advantage of all available opportunities to reach a peace agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. The appeal was made through a statement issued by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also commended U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel a planned military strike against Iran.

The ministry expressed hope that this moment could be used to create a favorable environment for resolving outstanding issues and opening a new chapter of regional stability. It emphasized Egypt’s commitment to continue its tireless and sincere efforts to reduce tensions through coordination and cooperation with regional and international partners.

According to the statement, Egypt remains focused on promoting dialogue and stability in the region, viewing the current situation as a critical opportunity to prevent further escalation and foster long-term peace.

Egypt has inaugurated the East Nile route of the Cairo Monorail, Africa’s first fully driverless monorail system, on May 6, 2026. The 56.5-kilometer line connects Cairo’s Nasr City International Stadium area with the new administrative capital being built in the desert to ease congestion in the capital. A second 43.8-kilometer West Nile route is under construction to link 6th of October City with Giza. Once both routes are operational, the network will exceed 100 kilometers, surpassing China’s Chongqing Monorail as the world’s longest.

The Cairo Monorail project, valued at about 2.3 billion pounds, was launched in 2019 to expand the city’s transport capacity beyond its three metro lines, which already carry around 500 million passengers annually. The system, built and operated by a consortium led by French rail manufacturer Alstom, includes 68 trains made up of 272 coaches built in Derby, England. Each train can carry up to 45,000 passengers per hour in each direction at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

Alstom describes the monorail as environmentally friendly, with low noise levels and the ability to recover up to 99 percent of braking energy, reducing fuel use. The Egyptian government expects the new capital to eventually house 6.5 million people and create 2 million jobs.