In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera amidst the African summit in Addis Ababa, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry pointed out that the second phase of the Gaza agreement has been announced but remains stalled due to Israeli obstacles. He emphasized that continuous American engagement, particularly at the level of President Donald Trump, is deemed the 'main and only guarantee' for the agreement's implementation. Shoukry underscored the importance of this American involvement in facilitating the agreement and ensuring progress is made on the ground.

Shoukry referred to an upcoming meeting of the Peace Council in Washington, scheduled for February 19, as a crucial opportunity to revitalize the political momentum and clarify critical issues regarding the Gaza agreement. Among the unmet conditions highlighted were Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and enabling the National Committee to govern the territory effectively. He also pointed out the urgent need to remove barriers to the flow of humanitarian aid and resources required for early recovery efforts, particularly given the challenging humanitarian situation during the winter season.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed that these issues are top priorities in Cairo's daily communications with Washington and other Arab, Islamic, and international partners. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Gaza plan contains 20 specific points that need to be addressed to move forward effectively, pointing to the complexity and urgency of the geopolitical situation surrounding Gaza and regional stability.