Report: Netanyahu Plans to Visit Cairo to Sign Multibillion-Dollar Gas Deal with Egypt

SadaNews - A senior American source confirmed to the Times of Israel that Israeli officials are working with American diplomats on preparations for the trip, which would be the Prime Minister's first official state visit to Egypt in 15 years.

The Times of Israel has learned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to travel to Cairo to sign a multibillion-dollar agreement to supply Egypt with natural gas.

According to a senior American diplomatic source familiar with the arrangements, who confirmed the details of these efforts to the Times of Israel, Israeli officials have been coordinating with senior American diplomats over the past few days regarding this planned visit.

Netanyahu is expected to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and aims to portray the visit as historic, according to the source as reported by SadaNews. The Prime Minister also seeks to achieve a significant diplomatic and media accomplishment before the Israeli elections, shifting focus away from contentious internal issues.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office told the Times of Israel that "the matter is unknown to us."

In recent weeks, some reports have indicated that the United States is seeking to hold a trilateral summit between President Donald Trump, Netanyahu, and el-Sisi during the expected visit of the Prime Minister to Florida later this month.

The Times of Israel has learned that Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yair Lapid, is leading efforts to organize the anticipated Cairo summit. Lapid has taken on the primary liaison role for Netanyahu with Washington and Arab states, including Syria and Lebanon, following the resignation of former Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer from his position last month.

Netanyahu has previously visited Egypt twice during the tenure of late Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. His last official state visit was 15 years ago, in January 2011. The other visits were kept secret.

Relations between Israel and Egypt have been strained since the outbreak of the war in Gaza following Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, with diplomatic communications between Cairo and Jerusalem severed for two years, aside from ongoing security coordination, particularly between Egyptian and Israeli intelligence regarding hostage issues.

In recent months, there have also been disputes over the management of the Rafah border crossing south of Gaza, issues related to accepting refugees, and the possibility of Egypt participating in the proposed international stabilization force in Gaza. Recently, relations have further deteriorated due to attempts to smuggle from Egypt to Israel using drones.

The gas deal remains complicated despite clear economic incentives for both parties. The agreement is described as a long-term deal worth $35 billion; however, Energy Minister Eli Cohen expressed concern that these exports could deplete Israeli natural gas reserves and harm local energy security, thus postponing the deal.

Cohen recently stated to the Times of Israel: "I will not allow Netanyahu to sign any agreement until all details are settled, including the existing security disputes between us and the Egyptians."

Netanyahu, for his part, reportedly views the agreement as an opportunity to showcase his enhancement and expansion of Israeli peace agreements with neighboring countries post-war, emphasizing that the agreement supports his long-term vision of utilizing Israeli gas resources to ensure the state's revenues in the long term.