In a striking display of military cooperation and diplomatic respect, Egyptian Air Force F-16 fighter jets escorted US President Donald Trump's Air Force One as it entered Egyptian airspace en route to Sharm el-Sheikh. This gesture marked a significant moment in the lead-up to the historic Gaza Peace Summit, co-chaired by President Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

As Air Force One approached Egypt's borders, six Egyptian F-16s, three on each side, formed a protective formation around the US presidential aircraft. The unexpected sight prompted President Trump to remark, “Oh, we looked out the window, we said, I hope they’re friendly,” before adding, “and they turned out to be very friendly.” He continued, “But we had three on each side, and they are beauties. Right out of the great, really, American manufacturing hub, we make the greatest military equipment in the world. We have the strongest military in the world, by far.”



President Trump acknowledged the significant investment Egypt had made in acquiring these advanced jets, stating, “I knew exactly what those planes were, and I knew exactly how much you paid for those planes, too. You paid a lot, but you got a pretty good deal.” He expressed appreciation for the escort, calling it “quite an escort in” and “very impressive.”

The F-16 escort occurred as President Trump arrived in Sharm el-Sheikh to co-chair the Gaza Peace Summit, aimed at solidifying a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The summit brought together leaders from around the world.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by President Trump, led to the release of 20 surviving Israeli hostages and the return of four deceased hostages, while Israel freed 1,968 Palestinian prisoners. This development was hailed as a turning point in the two-year conflict, with many leaders expressing optimism that it could pave the way for broader peace in the region.