The recent clash between Egyptian military and Palestinian militants at the Rafah border crossing has once again exposed the deep-rooted tension between Egypt and Israel. The incident, which resulted in the death of a senior Hamas commander and several Egyptian soldiers, has reignited the debate about the complex history and current discord between the two countries.
H. A. Hellyer, a senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, and Murtaza Hussain, a journalist for The Intercept, recently discussed this issue in an enlightening conversation. They shed light on the historical factors that have contributed to the strained relationship between the Egyptian government and the Israeli military.
The roots of the current tension between Egypt and Israel can be traced back to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Egypt, along with other Arab countries, fought against the establishment of the state of Israel. However, the war ended in defeat for the Arab nations, including Egypt. This defeat not only led to the displacement of thousands of Palestinians but also created a sense of humiliation and resentment towards Israel among the Egyptian people.
In the following years, the relationship between Egypt and Israel remained hostile. The two countries fought against each other in three more wars, with Egypt suffering another defeat in the 1967 Six-Day War. However, in 1979, Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel, becoming the first Arab country to do so. This move was met with widespread criticism from the Arab world, and it led to the suspension of Egypt from the Arab League.
The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel was seen as a betrayal by many Egyptians, who saw it as a surrender to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The treaty also led to the withdrawal of Egyptian troops from the Sinai Peninsula, which was a significant loss for Egypt. This loss of territory and the perceived betrayal by the government further fueled the animosity towards Israel among the Egyptian people.
The relationship between Egypt and Israel remained cold for the next few decades, with occasional moments of cooperation and tension. However, the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the subsequent rise of the Muslim Brotherhood to power brought a new dynamic to the relationship. The Brotherhood, which has close ties with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, took a more confrontational stance towards Israel. This led to a deterioration of the already fragile relationship between the two countries.
In 2013, the Egyptian military, led by General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government and took control of the country. Since then, the Egyptian government has maintained a strict policy towards Hamas and the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the militant group. The recent clash at the Rafah border crossing is a result of this policy, as the Egyptian military has been cracking down on smuggling tunnels between Egypt and Gaza.
Hellyer and Hussain also discussed the role of the United States in the Egyptian-Israeli relationship. The US has been a key ally of both countries, providing billions of dollars in military aid to Egypt and supporting Israel politically and economically. This has created a complex dynamic, with Egypt and Israel being dependent on the US for their security and survival.
However, the recent shift in US foreign policy under the Trump administration has added another layer of complexity to the relationship. The US has been a strong supporter of Israel and has taken a more confrontational stance towards the Palestinian cause. This has put Egypt in a difficult position, as it tries to balance its relationship with the US and its own interests in the region.
The Rafah clash has once again highlighted the complicated nature of the Egyptian-Israeli relationship. Both countries have a long and tumultuous history, and the recent incident has brought their differences to the forefront. However, Hellyer and Hussain believe that there is still hope for a better relationship between the two countries.
They argue that both Egypt and Israel share common interests, such as security and stability in the region. They also stress the importance of dialogue and communication between the two countries to resolve their differences. The recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Egypt, is a positive step towards this goal.
In conclusion, the Rafah clash has exposed the deep-rooted tension between Egypt and Israel, which has its roots in a complex history. However, there is still hope for a better relationship between the two countries, and it is essential for both sides to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their differences. The US also has a crucial role to play in promoting peace and stability in the
