The nation’s hosts led their coverage last night with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's phone call with US President Joe Biden, during which they discussed developments in the mediation efforts by Egypt, the US, and Qatar to reach a Gaza ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange agreement, according to an Ittihadiya statement. El Sisi emphasized “the urgency of reaching an immediate ceasefire agreement to end the severe humanitarian suffering in Gaza, allow unrestricted humanitarian aid delivery, and prevent regional conflict escalation.” Kelma Akhira's Lamees El Hadidi (watch, runtime: 2:02) and Ala Mas'ouleety's Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 7:59) had extensive coverage of the story.

“An issue with the occupying Israeli state” is currently standing in the way of an agreement being reached, Al Quds University political science professor Ayman El Rakb told El Hadidi (watch, runtime: 8:39). The agreement on the table is “developed and all gaps have been bridged,” and is only awaiting Israel’s decision, El Rakb continued.

“The agreement awaits Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resolving an internal crisis, as he conducts shuttle meetings with Ben Gvir and others,” according to El Rakb. The academic and pundit added that “the Israeli prime minister is expected to hold a virtual meeting with his team at midnight tonight to give the green light to his delegation to approve the agreement.”

ALSO ON THE AIRWAVES- The National Wages Council is studying raising the minimum wage for private sector workers “following political leadership directives,” council member Alaa El Sakty told Hadret El Mowaten's Sayed Ali (watch, runtime: 2:04). “Studies are currently being prepared,” He said, without disclosing details about the expected increase to the current EGP 6k monthly minimum wage. He expects the council to meet by February to decide on the matter.

Remember: A raise in the public sector minimum is already in the works, with an upcoming social protection package expected to raise the minimum wage by EGP 1k to EGP 7k, with adjustments for other income brackets, two government sources recently told EnterpriseAM.

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