Report: Egypt "plays a double game" in Gaza between "Tel Aviv" and Hamas

The Israeli site "Jewish Daily News" published an analytical report in which it considered that Egypt has a clear interest in the continued presence of Hamas as an active force in the Gaza Strip, noting that Cairo "manages a double and dangerous game" that combines maintaining its security relations with the Israeli occupation and leveraging its influence in the sector to achieve political and economic gains.

In his report, Israeli expert Haim Golubentsets discussed what he described as a "fundamental shift in the Egyptian security landscape," following the appointment of Major General Hassan Rashad as head of the General Intelligence Service, succeeding Major General Abbas Kamel, who had been seen as a "strategic bridge" between Cairo and Tel Aviv for many years.

Golubentsets states that this change has raised questions within Egyptian circles, but security cooperation between Egypt and the Israeli occupation remains intact despite the apparent political tensions in some public stances, as recently manifested at the Doha conference, where Cairo directed sharp criticisms at Tel Aviv.

The report indicates that Egypt has expanded its military presence in the Sinai Peninsula unprecedentedly, with the number of troops rising from a few hundred to over 40,000 soldiers, confirming that this deployment is coordinated with the Israeli occupation and the United States to combat terrorist organizations.

However, Golubentsets believes that ambiguity surrounds the nature of this coordination and its compatibility with the Camp David Accords, raising debates about the legal legitimacy of the increasing Egyptian military presence in the region.

The Israeli analyst states that Cairo's policy towards Gaza is based on national and strategic calculations, as it considers the peace agreement with Israel a "strategic asset" that it seeks to maintain, especially after Egypt witnessed the effectiveness of the Israeli army during the recent war on the sector.

He adds that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats to reconsider the $35 billion gas deal have raised significant Egyptian concerns, as the deal represents a huge economic opportunity, but at the same time, it is a political pressure point that Tel Aviv could use against Cairo.

According to the report, Egypt also seeks to enhance its position before Washington through its regional role, especially regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam file, making it an indispensable partner in American calculations in the region.

The report addresses the economic dimension of Egyptian policy towards Gaza, noting that Cairo sees the reconstruction process as a major economic opportunity that could yield direct profits through Egyptian contractors, equipment, and logistical resources.

Golubentsets claims that Egypt has an interest in keeping Hamas as an influential force in the sector, alleging that Cairo "turns a blind eye" at times to the smuggling of military equipment and drones into Gaza, as part of a complex game through which it tries to maintain its regional influence.

The report concludes that Egyptian policy towards Gaza is based on a delicate balance between four objectives: (maintaining the peace agreement with Israel, keeping communication channels open with Hamas, economic benefits from reconstruction projects, ensuring continued American support).