Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has called for reaching an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave during a meeting with a visiting US official. Sisi made the appeal in Cairo when he met with Massad Boulos, US senior adviser for Africa and presidential adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.

The Egyptian presidency said in a statement that the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Middle East and ways to restore regional stability. During the meeting, Sisi spoke highly of the joint mediation efforts by Egypt, the US, and Qatar for the ceasefire in Gaza and affirmed Egypt’s commitment to continuing its coordination. Massad Boulos also affirmed the US commitment to continuing joint efforts with Egypt to restore calm to the Middle East.

Their meeting comes as a new round of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas was held in Doha on Saturday.