American party, led by house member Adam Smith, was visiting Egypt as part of a regional tour Shoukry reiterated Egypt’s stance in relation to its opposition to Israel’s military operations in Rafah CAIRO: The crisis in Gaza topped the agenda when Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry on Monday met with a delegation from the US House of Representatives. The American party, led by house member Adam Smith, was visiting Egypt as part of a regional tour. During talks, Shoukry reiterated Egypt’s stance in relation to its opposition to Israel’s military operations in Rafah and the possible displacement of Palestinian citizens outside of the Gaza Strip. Ahmed Abu Zaid, spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Cairo was pushing for an immediate ceasefire paving way for negotiations on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. He noted that the UN Relief and Works Agency played an important role in receiving and distributing humanitarian aid in Gaza and added that Shoukry had discussed with the American delegates his country’s efforts to help get humanitarian aid into the Strip. The minister had also pointed out the importance of maintaining political, economic, commercial, and military relations with the US.