The United States has released $1.3 billion in military aid to Egypt, acknowledging the country's strides in human rights and its role in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza.
This announcement was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a memo to Congress.
The decision marks a notable shift, as the US had previously conditioned part of this aid on Egypt's improvement in human rights.
Egypt has been under scrutiny for holding tens of thousands of political prisoners in harsh conditions. Although hundreds of prisoners have been released recently, human rights activists argue that three times as many have been newly detained.
Despite these concerns, the US commended Egypt for its efforts towards human rights advancements. "We recognize the progress Egypt has made, including draft legislation on judicial reforms and the release of over 950 political prisoners since September 2023," stated Blinken.
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