Iran nuclear program central topic in Bennett-Sissi meeting — Israeli official

Iran’s nuclear program and support for armed proxy groups was one of the main topics discussed Monday between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi during their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, an Israeli government source says.

The two leaders also discussed other important regional challenges, the source says, including Turkey’s role in the Libyan civil war, Egypt-Ethiopia tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project on the Blue Nile, and the threat of jihadist terrorist groups.

Bennett and Sissi dealt with the Israel-Egypt relationship as well, talking about ways to significantly increase bilateral trade and tourism.

Turning to Gaza, the leaders discussed measures to prevent Hamas from rearming — including strengthening oversight at the Rafah border crossing — and to maintain the calm in the coastal strip, as well as the issue of Israeli soldiers and civilians still held by Hamas.