Despite formal peace treaty, Egypt maintains hostile military posture while relying on Israeli energy supplies that prevent nationwide electrical grid collapse. Officially, a peace agreement exists between Egypt and Israel. Practically, the southwestern neighbor operates as a genuine adversary. Like in the Little Red Riding Hood story, Israelis ask Egypt, "Why do you maintain such a large army? Why is Israel its reference threat? Why did you construct tunnels and extend runways in Sinai? And what justification exists for deploying forces into the peninsula without requesting Israel's approval and contrary to the peace agreement?"
Good answers to these questions do not exist, so particularly after the surprise massacre on Oct. 7, it is worth recalling the words of former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi: "Egypt has a large army, with advanced weaponry, with aircraft and submarines, a large quantity of tanks and infantry." Halevi added that according to current assessments, it is not considered a threat, but "this can reverse in a moment."
Also in the political arena, Egypt regularly challenges Israel. This is one of the reasons it refuses to take in – even temporarily – the Gazans, or give them territory in Sinai. It does not want this agitated population with them, but it is also convenient that they are fighting us. From President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi's perspective, this kills two birds with one stone. To this must be added the hatred toward Israel in Egyptian elites, in popular classes, on social networks and in Egyptian media, and also the obstacles it places before Israel in international institutions. All this together resembles cold war more than "cold peace." (Read More)
