As tensions between the two countries seem to escalate following accusations made by Israeli officials against Egypt, Israeli media reported that the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently attempted to coordinate a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, but it was rejected by the Egyptian presidency. Israeli Channel 13 reported on Wednesday, citing two informed sources, that amidst the disputes with Egypt, Netanyahu’s office, through the National Security Headquarters, requested to arrange a call between Netanyahu and the Egyptian president, but to no avail, as the Egyptian presidency refuses to respond.
This comes amid significant disagreements with Egypt regarding Israel’s actions along the Philadelphi Corridor, according to the channel.
Sources revealed to “Al Arabiya.net” and “Al Hadath.net” that the Egyptian refusal to respond to Netanyahu’s calls indicates a clear and strong set of interpretations that do not require interpretation. These include the Egyptian presidency’s stance against the Israeli Prime Minister’s actions regarding the war on Gaza and his refusal to end it, using various means to prolong it, and his statements about the Salahuddin Corridor and accusations of Egypt smuggling weapons to Hamas, leading the Egyptian presidency to take a decisive stance to stop official communications with Israel and its Prime Minister, while keeping security communications open to find a solution to the crisis.
According to the same sources, Egypt’s refusal to respond to Netanyahu also indicates a desire not to cooperate with him as long as he remains at the head of his government, especially given the sharp and strong division under his leadership. This confirms that communicating with him is unproductive and will not bear fruit, adding that there is another interpretation, which is the presence of information about a strong desire within the Israeli government to overthrow Netanyahu, reinforcing the futility of communication and cooperation with a Prime Minister whose stay in power is doubtful.
Dr. Mohamed Mehran, Professor of International Law, confirmed that Sisi’s refusal to respond to Netanyahu reflects the Egyptian position rejecting his policies, and sends another message that Israeli violations will not go unnoticed. He pointed out that Sisi’s stance is a painful blow to Netanyahu, confirming Israel’s regional and international isolation. Mehran told “Al Arabiya.net” and “Al Hadath.net” that Sisi’s stance is a natural reflection of Egypt’s rejection of Israeli policies towards the Palestinian issue and all attempts to impose a fait accompli, noting that Egypt continually confirms its rejection of any infringement on Palestinian sovereignty or any forced displacement attempts of Palestinians in Gaza, as Israel constantly threatens. He added that Netanyahu’s threatening statements were the final straw, indicating that dialogue is futile with someone who intends to breach international commitments and impose a fait accompli in violation of Egyptian sovereignty.
Mehran explained that Sisi’s refusal to respond to Netanyahu’s call is another strong message expressing Egypt’s annoyance with the recent provocative and false statements by Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister, especially amidst his threats of unilateral control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with the Gaza Strip. It also indicates the weakness of the Israeli position, reflecting Israel’s embarrassment and failure to reach an understanding with its main strategic ally in the region, Egypt. Mehran said that Israel’s announcement of the call’s rejection, despite its embarrassing nature, seems deliberate and intended to garner sympathy and create public pressure against Egypt and its anti-occupation stance.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had responded to accusations by Israeli officials against Egypt, regarding its role in hindering aid entry into the Gaza Strip. He stated that before the war, Gaza received 600 trucks daily through Egypt, but now only about 200 trucks enter. He pointed out that the Rafah Crossing is open all day.
Sisi confirmed in his statements during the celebration of Egypt’s Police Day on Wednesday that the procedures followed by the other side – meaning Israel – are what hinder the entry of aid, to pressure the sector and its residents over the hostage issue. Egypt responded to Israel’s allegations regarding border security operations between the two countries and Netanyahu’s statements, which included claims of arms and explosives smuggling into the Gaza Strip from Egyptian territory through tunnels at the border. Diaa Rashwan, head of the Egyptian State Information Service, stated that Israel’s insistence on marketing these lies is an attempt to create legitimacy for its aspiration to occupy the Philadelphi (Salahuddin) Corridor in the Gaza Strip along the border with Egypt, in violation of security agreements and protocols signed between Israel and Egypt, warning that any Israeli move in this direction would pose a serious and new threat to Egyptian-Israeli relations.
