On Saturday evening, Israel informed Egypt of its intention to send troops into Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, despite Egypt’s strong opposition, as reported by Maariv citing Sky News Arabia. Egypt reportedly rejected the request. Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Services (SIS), emphasized the serious threat to Egyptian-Israeli relations that any Israeli move in this direction would pose. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed relations with Egypt, stating that they are ongoing and normal between the governments, with each country looking after its own interests. The former IDF spokesman Avi Benyahu also hinted at the possibility of the IDF advancing further south towards Rafah, as reported by Maariv. Trucks carrying aid are seen arriving in Rafah amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in a photo taken on January 17, 2024 (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMED SALEM). Reports in Arab media suggest that the IDF has requested the soldiers on the Egyptian side clear the corridor for its arrival.Israeli-Egyptian relations have been tense, with a report in the Wall Street Journal indicating a ‘deepening chill’ and suggesting that the relationship between Israel and Egypt is on the verge of collapse. The report stated that Netanyahu had not spoken to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in weeks, with the latter refusing to take calls from the prime minister. Cairo is reportedly “convinced” of a secret Israeli plan to expel the Palestinians from the Strip to the Sinai Peninsula.
