While the Israeli government is still refusing to set an official launch date for the $35 billion gas export agreement with Egypt, Cairo’s Petroleum Ministry has received clear signals in recent hours from Israel’s NewMed Energy.

NewMed, which holds the Leviathan gas field concession together with US energy giant Chevron, has informed Egyptian officials of its willingness to move forward with completing the remaining stage of the deal signed in August 2025. The agreement would apply for a full year under current terms, with an option to revisit gas pricing starting in January 2027.

This move is widely seen as an attempt by the Israeli company to calm Egyptian and American partners, without making a final commitment before Israel resolves internal disputes over the gas export framework, expected to be addressed toward the end of December.