I. Legislative Branch
Personnel and Correspondence
Democratic House Members Seek Clarity on Trump Dealings with Egypt. On September 3, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), ranking member of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs, wrote to former President Donald Trump seeking answers regarding a report by the Washington Post that he may have illegally accepted a $10 million contribution from Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi during the 2016 campaign.
McCaul Outlines Support for DOJ Charges Against Hamas. On September 4, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) issued a statement in support of the Department of Justice’s decision to press criminal charges against six members of the Hamas leadership.
Letter to Blinken Highlights Egypt Human Rights Concerns. On September 5, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) led nine Senate Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging the Biden administration to withhold $320 million of Foreign Military Financing to Egypt that Congress has tied to human rights conditions.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
White House Provides Update on Ceasefire Negotiations. On September 5, senior Biden administration officials held a media background call on the status of Gaza ceasefire negotiations. A senior administration official noted that “there’s no formal negotiation going on at this time” but that there is “point-to-point communication between us and our counterparts in Qatar and Egypt and, of course, Israel to try to still see if we can move this thing forward.”
White House ‘Disturbed’ by IDF Killing of American in West Bank. On September 6, National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett reacted to the death of Aysenur Eygi, a 26-year-old American killed that same day by the Israeli military in the West Bank. “We are deeply disturbed by the tragic death of an American citizen, Aysenur Egzi Eygi, today in the West Bank and our hearts go out to her family and loved ones. We have reached out to the Government of Israel to ask for more information and request an investigation into the incident,” Savett said. Some members of Congress also reacted, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who said in a statement, “The Biden Administration must do more to hold the Netanyahu Government accountable and use American influence to demand the prosecution of those responsible for harm against American citizens.”
2) Department of State
US Officials Working to Address Remaining Ceasefire Obstacles. On September 4, Department of State Spokesperson Mathew Miller told reporters that the United States is continuing its efforts to bridge remaining divides between Israel and Hamas on a Gaza hostage/prisoner release and ceasefire deal, in particular the issue of the Philadelphi Corridor. Miller reiterated that the Biden administration does not support a long-term presence of Israeli forces inside Gaza.
Blinken Says that Israel-Saudi Normalization Still on the Table. On September 5, Secretary Blinken commented that Israeli and Saudi leadership “very much would like to pursue [normalization]” but that there remain a couple of requirements, namely a ceasefire in Gaza and a credible pathway to a Palestinian state.
United States and Egypt Deepen Economic Cooperation at Second Joint Economic Commission. On September 4-5, the second US-Egypt Joint Economic Commission (JEC) met in Washington to discuss bilateral economic ties. Both sides committed to further talks on trade and investment to be held in October 2024. The next JEC meeting is scheduled to be held in Egypt in 2025.
Department Releases Statement on Algerian Elections. On September 8, the Department of State congratulated Algeria on the conclusion of its presidential election. “We want to build upon our strong bilateral relationship through economic, cultural, and regional cooperation,” the statement noted.
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Announces Operations in Iraq and Syria. On August 30, CENTCOM reported that US and Iraqi forces conducted a joint raid in western Iraq. On September 2, it announced that CENTCOM forces, partnered with Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), had captured a leader of the so-called Islamic State.
CENTCOM Issues Statement on Additional Houthi Attacks on Oil Tankers. On September 2, CENTCOM announced that the Houthis had struck two crude oil tankers. Salvage efforts are ongoing for a tanker struck on August 21 which is currently ablaze.
Military Vessel Finishes Offloading Humanitarian Assistance at Ashdod. On September 5, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that the MV Cape Trinity had offloaded 6 million pounds of humanitarian aid at Israel’s Ashdod Port and is now returning to the United States. Singh stated that this is the “highest volume of humanitarian assistance the US military has ever delivered in the Middle East.”
4) United States Agency for International Development
Deputy Administrator Coleman Reaffirms Support for Sudanese People. On September 3, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, along with Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello, met with members of the Sudanese diaspora to affirm continued US support amid Sudan’s war and man-made famine. The discussion focused on US efforts to deliver humanitarian aid, protect civilians, and advance diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
III. Judicial Branch
Justice Department Announces Charges Against Hamas Leadership. On September 3, the US Department of Justice announced the unsealing of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas.
