Today's Israel and Egypt Neighborliness and Any Problems Developing

 Nadene Goldfoot                                         

Kerem Shalom is a vital border crossing located at the junction of the Gaza Strip, Israel, and Egypt. It serves as a primary commercial access point and a critical lifeline for the delivery of humanitarian aid, food, medical supplies, and fuel into Gaza.

   My living room in Safed on main floor with bars to keep out terrorist: I made a temporary sofa out of a single bed waiting for my lift:   

It takes me back to the time from September 1980 when I made Aliyah to Israel and was studying for my final test in Hebrew and had a chance to go to Egypt as a tourist.  I couldn't go with my new friends because my husband and I were cramming and going over our text.  Others hopped on a bus and went to Egypt.  Being here in an Assisted living today and who do I meet but a male resident who had traveled there 3 times with ease.  He read my book, "Letters From Israel" and it brought back a lot of memories of his trips. Now, the situation has changed, sadly:   

Israel and Egypt are currently navigating a complex period marked by heightened border security, significant Egyptian military expansion, and ongoing diplomatic friction regarding Gaza. 

Border and Security Dynamics

• Checkpoint Relocation: Israel relocated its screening facility for Palestinians returning to Gaza from Egypt to the Kerem Shalom Crossing, moving away from the previous Rafah military checkpoint.
  
                                                   
  
  
  
• Sinai Tensions: Israel is expressing mounting strategic concern over Egypt's growing military presence and infrastructure upgrades in the Sinai Peninsula. Israeli security sources claim Egypt has exceeded troop levels permitted under the 1979 peace treaty. (The 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty demilitarized the Sinai Peninsula by dividing it into specific security zones, placing strict limits on the type and number of Egyptian troops allowed in each region . In recent years, these restrictions have been frequently adapted by mutual agreement to allow heavier Egyptian deployments for counterterrorism).  With Israeli acquiescence to de facto alterations of the 1979 peace treaty, Egypt has deployed substantial military forces into the Sinai to combat terrorists. But Israel remains hesitant about Cairo's inclination to increase pressure on Hamas in Gaza.
• Gaza Mediation: Egypt continues to serve as a key mediator in ceasefire negotiations and has actively hosted factions discussing the release of hostages.

Diplomatic Friction

• Geopolitical Pushback: Egyptian leadership is urging Israel to abandon plans to expand control over Gaza and is demanding a comprehensive withdrawal of Israeli forces. 
• Broader Concerns: The shifting regional balance of power has prompted ongoing debate within Israeli defense circles regarding Egypt's rapidly modernizing armed forces. 
• Egypt's government has an uneasy and pragmatic relationship with Hamas rather than a warm alliance, driven by mutual necessity rather than ideological alignment . While the Egyptian public generally sympathizes with Palestinians, the state's leadership treats the militant group with deep suspicion due to severe security and political concerns.
Energy and Trade
• Gas Agreements: Despite geopolitical differences, the two nations remain deeply connected by energy ties, with Israel previously signing a massive $35 billion gas export agreement to supply Egypt .
Resource:
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/new-triangle-egypt-israel-and-hamas