Biden’s Effort to Secure Deal on Egypt-Gaza Border Aims to Preserve Legacy, Not Aid Israel

Egypt plays a crucial role as a third party in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiations, yet this often goes overlooked. Israel relies on Egypt to monitor its border with Gaza, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, to prevent the smuggling of weapons, money, and fighters that support Hamas.

If this border remains porous, it could also serve as an escape route for Hamas leaders like the notorious Yahya Sinwar. Israeli demands to keep troops stationed at the border as part of any agreement are seen as necessary given Egypt’s reluctance or inability to effectively police the area.

In May, the IDF uncovered 20 Hamas tunnels near the corridor, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Hamas. Despite years of warnings from Israeli intelligence, Egyptian authorities failed to address the issue, indicating a lack of willingness to disrupt the flow of support to Sinwar and his followers.

This raises concerns about the Biden administration’s eagerness to broker a deal at any cost, which appears driven more by political motives than genuine regional security concerns. This approach disregards Israel’s security and risks further instability in the region.