Jerusalem traded energy for leverage, tying Cairo to its fuel supplies while securing strategic calm despite ongoing violations in Sinai.
(Dec. 20, 2025 / JNS) The signing of the massive natural gas deal with Egypt goes far beyond its $34 billion price tag. One of the main reasons for the agreement’s delay was Egypt’s problematic approach to Israel on political and security issues.
According to information gathered in recent years, Egypt has deployed forces in Sinai far beyond what is permitted under the security annex of the 1979 peace treaty. It has also built tunnels deep in the peninsula for storing weapons and has suspiciously extended runways at airfields.
The understandings between Israel and Egypt on the gas deal do not include an Egyptian commitment to withdraw prohibited forces from the Sinai Peninsula. Israel Hayom has learned that the accompanying agreements provide for dialogue on mechanisms to address Egyptian violations. While the U.S. has pledged to facilitate discussions on the matter, there is no clear commitment to rectify the situation.