ByNews Desk- The Cradle
Tensions have been simmering between the long-time allies after an Egyptian soldier snuck into Israel and killed three border guards
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is reportedly set to hold a meeting next week to examine the political and security implications of the cancellation to provide a final decision.
In his conversation with Kan, the official noted the move is part of a possible “freeze” in progressing Israeli-Egyptian relations, as Sharm el-Sheikh receives significant traffic from Israel despite alleged security risks.
Tensions have been simmering between Tel Aviv and Cairo since Egyptian soldier Mohamed Salah crossed the border and killed three Israeli border guards earlier this month.
In the wake of the daring operation, Israel ordered border guards to open fire on the Egyptian side at the first sign of “abnormal movements.”
Tel Aviv also expressed concerns that it now faces a “multi-front war,” with attacks in recent months coming not only from Gaza and the occupied West Bank but also Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.
The attack also derailed what Israeli media described as “warming ties” between the long-time allies. During a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart in January, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed “the importance of working seriously to revive the peace process as soon as possible.”
A direct flight route between Israel’s Ben Gurion airport and Sharm el-Sheikh was announced in March 2022. Then Israeli premier Naftali Bennet said: “Cooperation between the two countries is expanding in many areas, and this contributes to both peoples and the stability of the region.”
As 2022 progressed, Israeli airlines operated up to 13 flights weekly to Sharm al-Sheikh. The resort town also held international meetings where Israel “pledged” more than once to stop expanding illegal West Bank settlements.
Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 following a long history of war between the two countries.
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