Israeli Capture of Rafah Crossing With Egypt: Action Potentially Undermines Four and a Half Decades of Calm Relations
Heading into mid-June 2025, the relationship between Egypt and Israel stands at an all-time low, with neighbors left to pick up the pieces. Tensions are sky-high, and rebuilding the bond appears to be a daunting task ahead. So, what exactly happened to spark this diplomatic disaster?
Late last week, Israeli tanks made a jarring appearance at the Rafah crossing, giving a cheery wave to the Palestinian flag as they replaced it with the Israeli flag just meters away from Egyptian territory. This spectacle, taking place in an area designated as demilitarized in the 1979 peace treaty and a 2005 agreement, sent a shiver down the spine of Egypt.
The question on everyone's lips: is the future of bilateral relations completely fraught with uncertainty?
Egypt has long been a key intermediary between Israel and the Palestinians during the current conflict, managing to maintain peaceful relations with Israel for an impressive 45 years. However, recent events have stirred up suspicion and raised eyebrows.
While the peace treaty and the 2005 accord only allow for deploying troops in the crossing area following mutual agreement between the two sides, Egypt has yet to officially comment on whether such an agreement was struck prior to the Israeli takeover of the crossing. In response to the invasion, an Egyptian military source told Middle East Eye that there had been "no operation coordination" between Egypt and Israel.
While Israeli forces may have kept Egypt in the loop about their plans, it's doubtful that details regarding a long-term Israeli control of the crossing or a steady presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a 100-meter buffer zone along the 14km border between Gaza and Egypt, would have made it into any notification. Egyptian political analyst Mahmoud Hadhoud suggests the invasion was intended to ensure that Palestinian factions weren't using the area surrounding the crossing for military activities, marking a limited operation rather than a resolute move to take control.
The discord between the nations has largely played out in the media, with formal statements on the event being limited. Egyptian Foreign Ministry denounced the operation and the closure of the crossing, expressing concerns about the dire consequences. However, Egypt has yet to comment on the fate of their peace treaty with Israel or whether Israel has exceeded boundaries in their bilateral relations.
But it's clear that Egypt is not mincing words in their disapproval. In a dramatic move, Egypt announced its intention to join South Africa in their case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. Egypt's decision to intervene in the case comes five months after it was initially brought before the court and long after other nations, including Turkey, Colombia, and Nicaragua, had already made their moves to assist. It may take years for the world court to reach a judgment about Israel's violations of the Genocide Convention during its onslaught on Gaza.
Amidst the media frenzy, Vasif al-Kahl, a broadcaster on the Saudi-owned MBC Masr, known for his close ties to the Egyptian state, made shocking declarations: "Israel has lost Egypt." He continued, implying that Israel's actions in Gaza have stripped it of Egypt's support and placed it firmly on the opposite side of the conflict.
The semi-official Egyptian channel Cairo News published Israeli reports claiming that Egypt and Israel had "prior understandings" regarding the Rafah invasion, but that the invasion of the crossing has prompted Egypt to "retract" these understandings. The US Wall Street Journal suggests that Cairo is considering a downgrade to bilateral ties with Israel, including withdrawing their ambassador. While the details are hazy and the exact nature of the friction remains unclear, it's evident that something significant has shifted in Egypt-Israel relations.
So what does the future hold for these former allies? Stay tuned as we follow the story as it unfolds.
- The Israeli tanks' unexpected presence at the Rafah crossing, replacing the Palestinian flag with an Israeli flag, appears to have strained the long-standing relationship between Egypt and Israel.
- As a key intermediary in the Middle East conflict, Egypt has maintained peaceful relations with Israel for 45 years, but recent events have raised suspicions.
- Questions remain about whether there was a mutual agreement between Egypt and Israel before Israeli forces took over the Rafah crossing, as the peace treaty only allows for deploying troops in the area with such an agreement.
- Egyptian political analyst Mahmoud Hadhoud suggests the invasion was a limited operation intended to prevent Palestinian factions from using the area for military activities.
- Egypt has denounced the operation and the closure of the crossing, expressing concerns about the consequences, but has yet to comment on the future of their peace treaty with Israel or whether Israel has exceeded boundaries in their bilateral relations.
- Egypt's decision to join South Africa in their case against Israel at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza highlights their disapproval, potentially marking a significant shift in Egypt-Israel relations.
