US grants Egypt full yearly military aid

The US is granting Egypt with its full $1.3 billion military aid allocation for the first time under the Biden administration, a State Department spokesperson confirmed.  The decision came as the US relies on Cairo to mediate ceasefire talks for Gaza amid the ongoing Humanitarian atrocities Israel has been inflicting on the Palestinians.

Of the $1.3 billion in aid, $320 million is subject to conditions, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken waived $225 million in human rights-related requirements, citing “the US national security interest.”

“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities,” the spokesperson stated, referring to efforts in Gaza and humanitarian aid.

Last year, Blinken withheld part of the aid over Egypt’s human rights progress, but this year, $95 million was released after determining Egypt had made sufficient efforts, including reforms and prisoner releases.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: M. S. Salama