Egypt and Israel: Media Depicts End of Cold Peace, Highlighting Politically and Security-Wide Confrontation

An Israeli report observed a qualitative shift in Egypt-Israel relations, noting that the “cold peace” period, ongoing since the 1979 Camp David Accords, has ended, with confrontation between the two sides becoming open across multiple dimensions.

The report, published by “Natsiv.net”—a site linked to Israeli security agencies and managed by a former military intelligence general—indicated that recent statements and positions reflect a fundamental change. A key indicator was Egypt’s first-time use of the word “enemy” to describe Israel during the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, following the Israeli attack on a Hamas delegation.

The report also highlighted that the long-standing absence of ambassadors between the two countries, along with Egypt’s refusal to accredit the new Israeli ambassador, reflects a cooling of relations and weakened direct communication channels, reducing the prospects of crisis management and turning disputes into what can be described as a “political war.”

Multiple Dimensions of the Confrontation

The report noted that the confrontation is no longer confined to military dimensions but has expanded to include political, media, and security aspects. Israeli reports have accused Egypt of failing to control its borders and facilitating arms smuggling, citing the crossing of hundreds of drones in a short period.

Analysts see these accusations as a pretext to justify enhancing Israel’s military presence along the border and exerting diplomatic pressure on Cairo through Washington.

Egyptian Strategy: Legitimacy and Defense

The report highlighted that Egypt’s strategy is based on two main pillars: the first is adherence to international legitimacy through prior coordination of all military movements in Sinai under the peace agreement framework; the second is a firm rejection of any plan to relocate Palestinians to Sinai, seen as a red line affecting national sovereignty.

Egypt’s military buildup is interpreted as preparation to defend its borders against potential repercussions of the Gaza conflict. The report also noted the triangular nature of relations among Cairo, Tel Aviv, and Washington, with Israel seeking U.S. intervention to apply additional pressure on Egypt, which could prompt Cairo to strengthen regional and international alliances to maintain strategic balance.

The report concluded that the current situation reflects a “war on paper and on the ground,” with Israel seeking to militarize the crisis while Egypt focuses on “politicizing defense” based on international legitimacy. Although neither side seeks a full-scale confrontation, the region remains on “the brink” more than ever.

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