He is facing one of the most challenging moments of his rule, which could reset relations with his country's key Western ally. Egypt is dangling the threat to its peace treaty with neighbouring Israel - long seen as a cornerstone of stability and US influence in the Middle East.

Arab states are scrambling to develop a realistic plan for Gaza's future as a counter to U.S. President Donald Trump's vision of the United States taking over the territory and its Palestinian inhabitants being ejected to Egypt and Jordan.

Egypt will produce a "comprehensive vision" for how to reconstruct Gaza that does not include the removal of Palestinians from the enclave.