WASHINGTON — In a first for the Biden administration, the United States will provide Egypt with the full amount of military assistance that Congress made contingent on the US partner making improvements to its human rights record. 

The State Department notified lawmakers on Wednesday of its decision to release the $320 million, which is likely to disappoint rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who say Egypt has failed to meet the congressionally required human rights benchmarks. 

This year’s funding decision comes as the United States is reliant on Egypt to help mediate a cease-fire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Cairo’s cooperation will also be needed to implement any day-after plan for Gaza, with which Egypt shares a border. 

“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in need, and help bring an enduring end to the Israel-Hamas conflict,” a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.