Report: Israel weighs political-security initiative with Egypt over Rafah
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The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Friday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to push for a political and security initiative with Egypt that would involve opening the Rafah crossing in one direction for departures from Gaza, under strict monitoring and security mechanisms.
The report said Israeli assessments indicate that strengthening economic and security cooperation with Egypt would restrict Hamas’ movements and increase pressure on the group.
Maariv also noted that Egypt rejects any step that could lead to demographic change in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, the Israeli newspaper Zman reported that a recent gas deal between Israel and Egypt was reached under direct US pressure, despite severe tensions in bilateral relations since October 7, 2023.
According to the report, Washington used the gas agreement as a political tool to expand Israeli-Egyptian cooperation, particularly amid sharp disagreements over the Rafah crossing, which Cairo views any unilateral opening of as a “red line” due to fears of Palestinian displacement into the Sinai.