EgyptIsrael

Egypt–Israel relations refer to the bilateral interactions between Egypt and Israel, anchored by formal diplomatic ties and ongoing security, economic, and diplomatic cooperation. The cornerstone is the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty of 1979, which established full diplomatic relations, led to the Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982, and created a framework of security arrangements along the border.

Historically, Egypt and Israel fought in several wars and faced decades of hostility, punctuated by occasional peace overtures. The 1979 treaty marked a turning point in Arab–Israeli diplomacy, making Egypt the first Arab country to sign a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel. Since then, the relationship has been characterized by pragmatic cooperation rather than broad normalization of all sectors of society; security coordination and intelligence sharing have been prominent, while public opinion and political rhetoric in both states have often remained cautious.

In the contemporary era, cooperation centers on security, regional stability, and limited economic engagement. Security and defense cooperation focus on counterterrorism operations in the Sinai Peninsula, border security, and coordinated responses to threats near Gaza and across the broader region. Egypt often plays a mediating role in Gaza-related humanitarian and ceasefire discussions, working with Israel and other regional actors to broker arrangements and facilitate aid. Economic ties include trade, energy projects, and regional transportation and logistics links, with Egypt serving as a key transit and energy hub in the eastern Mediterranean. People-to-people ties persist through tourism, cultural exchanges, and academic contact, though travel policies and public sentiment can vary.

The Egypt–Israel relationship remains a defining element of regional security architecture, influencing broader Arab–Israeli diplomacy and contributing to Egypt’s strategic role in Middle East stability and diplomacy, while continuing to confront domestic and regional challenges.