reporter: craig, we understand that the secretary of state met with president sisi of equip. no joint statement. blinken did say that equip was an effective and real partner in helping to build, quote, something positive in the region and that they were vital in this equation. to give you an idea how key, of course, as you said, they helped to mediate the cease-fire. they have two mediation teams in the region in israel and in gaza to keep the peace. they have pledged an awful lot of money toward reconstruction efforts in gaza, some $500 million. they also they share a land border with gaza. that s crucial. they have been blockaing gaza since hamas took power in 2007. they are the conduit to get aid