Egypt Emerges as Key Mediator in Israel-Hamas Conflict
In the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Egypt has quickly positioned itself as a non-violent peacemaker. Since the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, Egypt has been actively urging both sides to de-escalate and has emphasized the need for a fair two-state solution. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has also prioritized domestic security by keeping the Sinai-Gaza border closed.
Egypt, with its long-standing tradition of mediating in conflicts between Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), is once again offering its services as a mediator to resolve the current situation. Yassin Ashour, an Egyptian political consultant on Middle East and Arab affairs, stated that Egypt has made its position clear and is seeking de-escalation.
President Sisi’s regime is handling the situation delicately, especially considering the upcoming presidential elections in December. Egypt’s leader has already demonstrated his willingness to act as a peace broker in the 2021 truce talks between Israel and Hamas. Since the era of former President Hosni Mubarak, the United States and other Western countries have relied on Egypt as a negotiator for peace in the region.
Apart from wanting to elevate its geopolitical standing, Egypt is also keen to avoid being drawn into the conflict due to its fragile state and the ongoing economic crisis it faces. Escalation of the conflict could result in a humanitarian crisis spilling over into Egypt’s Sinai region, jeopardizing hard-won peace efforts.
Giuseppe Dentice, head of the MENA desk at the Centre for International Studies, explained that President Sisi will attempt to maintain a balanced position, aiming to establish a new relationship between Egypt and Hamas while avoiding direct involvement in the conflict.
While promising Israel that it will help negotiate the release of hostages, Egypt has simultaneously blamed the fighting on the unfair treatment of the Palestinian people and the absence of a two-state solution. President Sisi has called for addressing the root causes of the conflict and supporting efforts to settle the Palestinian cause peacefully.
On a political level, the Sisi regime is vociferously demanding an immediate end to the conflict. Furthermore, a significant part of Egyptian society supports the Palestinian cause, with many Egyptians referring to the current events as a continuation of the Yom Kippur War of 1973.
A contentious issue has been whether Egypt should open the Rafah crossing, especially after the Israeli army advised Gazans to flee to Sinai. Despite Gaza experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, Egypt has closed the border, citing the need for its own security. However, humanitarian aid exceptions will be made. Israel, in response, has even threatened to attack aid trucks coming from Cairo.
Furthermore, Egypt may also find it advantageous to keep the border closed, as it allows them to keep Hamas contained in a controlled space outside their direct control. Matthew Sparks, an anthropologist and historian of Sinai and the Naqab, highlighted the strained relationship between Egypt’s Sisi regime and Hamas due to the latter’s ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. This containment strategy aligns with President Sisi’s ideology and the post-Nasser military ruler model.
It remains uncertain whether Gazans would wish to flee to Sinai, as historically, Palestinians have shown a resolve not to leave their land. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Gazans fled to Sinai but returned in 1967.
Egypt has shown solidarity with Gaza by providing humanitarian aid, but an open border seems unlikely due to Sinai’s inability to support a large population and Egypt’s own internal problems.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Egypt is stepping up as a key mediator, aiming to find a peaceful resolution and prevent further violence in the region. Its clear stance, careful handling of the situation, and emphasis on a two-state solution demonstrate its commitment to promoting peace in the volatile Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
