Peace found in Egypt 🕊️

• Peace at last 🇵🇸🇮🇱

• World Cup here we come ⚽

• First S&P credit upgrade in seven years 📈

A QUICK MESSAGE BEFORE YOU SCROLL…
WANT TO WEAR EGYPTIAN ART MADE BY EGYPTIAN ARTISTS?

We’re proud to announce the upcoming launch of Egyptian Streets’ first artist collaboration program - featuring limited-edition tees, totes, and art prints designed by four incredible Egyptian artists: Amira Tanany, Nada Abouelmaati, Seham Sultan, and Toka El Sayed. These four remarkable Egyptians, each capturing everyday life through bold, original art, were selected from over 100 submissions.

Four artists. Four designs. One limited-edition collection. From folklore and food to proverbs and everyday magic, this collection celebrates our culture, our humor, and the stories that make us who we are. The art reveal comes in the next newsletter - but you can already be first in line for early access and 10% off launch day. 

ISRAEL-PALESTINE | WAR ON GAZA | CEASEFIRE
ISRAEL & HAMAS BEGIN FIRST PHASE OF PEACE PLAN, AFTER AGREEMENT REACHED IN EGYPT

Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a US-brokered Gaza deal that puts a ceasefire in place, begins an Israeli pullback from large parts of Gaza, and sets the stage for a phased exchange of hostages and prisoners, Donald Trump announced following negotiations in Egypt with mediation by Qatar, Turkey, and other regional actors.

Key terms: The first phase requires Hamas to hand over lists of hostages and to begin releasing living detainees while Israel withdraws forces to an agreed line and frees a number of Palestinian prisoners; mediators including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey are coordinating logistics and verification with U.S. involvement. 

What’s next: The ceasefire is already allowing displaced Gazans to return home in some areas and authorities report early transfers of Palestinian prisoners as the sides move to implement the agreement; major questions remain about verification, broader governance of Gaza, and whether later phases (disarmament, reconstruction, political arrangements) can be negotiated and enforced. 

SPORTS | FOOTBALL | WORLD CUP
EGYPT’S FOOTBALL TEAM SECURES 2026 WORLD CUP SPOT

Egypt has officially qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3–0 win over Djibouti, with Mohamed Salah scoring twice to lead the Pharaohs. This marks Egypt’s return to the tournament, having last featured in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Match highlights: Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring in the 8th minute, followed by Salah’s goals in the 14th and 84th minutes, bringing his tally to nine goals in the African qualifiers — reclaiming the top scorer position.

Qualification impact: With this win, Egypt tops Group A with an unassailable five-point lead, ensuring their fourth World Cup appearance and joining Morocco and Tunisia as Arab nations heading to the 2026 tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK | CREDIT RATINGS | S&P
S&P UPGRADES EGYPT’S CREDIT RATING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS

S&P Global Ratings upgraded Egypt’s long-term sovereign credit rating from B- to B, the country’s first upgrade since 2018, citing significant economic improvement and the government’s ongoing reform agenda.

Reforms driving growth: The rating agency highlighted Egypt’s structural reforms, the liberalization of the exchange rate, increased foreign direct investment, and improved fiscal indicators as key factors behind the upgrade.

Economic outlook: S&P projects that Egypt’s net external debt will fall to 84 percent of current account receipts by FY 2027-2028, with usable foreign reserves reaching USD 42 billion. The agency maintained a stable outlook, noting that further deleveraging or higher FDI could trigger another upgrade, while FX shortages or deviations from reforms could prompt a downgrade.