Tensions escalate at Rafah border as Egypt-Israel relations come under scrutiny | World News

An Egyptian soldier was killed in an exchange of fire near the Rafah crossing, further straining the already tense relationship between Egypt and Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Egypt, the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, has maintained a “cold peace” marked by limited ties and distrust, despite extensive energy and security cooperation.

Recent tensions have escalated as Egypt expressed alarm over Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, fearing a mass displacement of Palestinians into the Sinai Peninsula. Egyptian officials have criticized Israel’s campaign, particularly near the Rafah border, where humanitarian aid deliveries were halted. Israel’s accusations of Hamas using tunnels to smuggle arms into Sinai have further angered Egypt, which claims to have destroyed such networks years ago.

The stakes are high as humanitarian aid flows into Gaza are at risk, with Egypt and Israel playing crucial roles in negotiations for a truce and prisoner releases. Regional stability could be threatened if the relationship between Egypt and Israel deteriorates, but both countries have reasons to protect their ties amidst domestic and international pressures.

Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel has been a key foreign policy pillar, while Israel aims to strengthen its ties with the Arab world. Both countries will need to collaborate on post-war plans for Gaza and manage security along the Egypt-Gaza border, including the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi corridor. The future of their relationship remains uncertain as they navigate the complexities of the conflict in Gaza.