US cites Egypt’s help in Gaza as Washington sends full military aid despite human rights concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is sending Egypt its full $1.3 billion allocation of military aid, setting aside conditions placed by Congress on some of the money over human rights concerns and citing Cairo’s role as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas war.

The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken used his authority to waive those conditions on $225 million, saying the move is important for Mideast stability and Egypt’s ability to help with U.S. national security priorities, including trying to broker a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza and increasing humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in the territory.

Blinken also told Congress this week that Egypt has made progress in freeing political prisoners and preventing Americans from being harassed, meeting benchmarks to gain $95 million in assistance.

“The United States is also continuing a rigorous dialogue with the Egyptian government on the importance of concrete human rights improvements that are crucial to sustaining the strongest possible U.S.-Egypt partnership,” the State Department said.

The decision shows the weight given to Egypt’s role as a key mediator in a conflict that threatens to expand into a regionwide war and pose risks to the U.S., even as allegations persist that President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi’s government is behind a litany of human rights abuses.

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