Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukr, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  (Photo: abir sultan/European Pressphoto Agency)

This is the first visit to Israel by an Egyptian foreign minister in nine years. At a press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Sameh said he hoped all parties can reach a peaceful solution in accordance with Israeli and Palestinian aspirations. Netanyahu hailed Egypt’s efforts to restore the conflict and said he is willing to discuss a peace initiative with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.