Egypts slams Israeli threats as gas agreement hangs in the balance

Diaa Rashwan, head of the Egyptian State Information Service, commented on Israeli reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had directed the suspension of the gas agreement with Egypt. Rashwan stated that Netanyahu would be unable to bear the consequences of such a decision.

In televised remarks, Rashwan said, “I advise Netanyahu, and I hope he cancels the gas deal if he can handle the economic consequences.” He explained that while the deal is economically important for both sides, the scale “tilts more in Israel’s favor.”

The Egyptian official clarified that Egypt uses the gas domestically and also liquefies and re-exports a portion of it. He said Egypt will not face any immediate crisis with the summer season nearing its end, even if Israel suspends gas supplies.

He stressed that Egypt has many alternatives in the energy and gas sector and that Netanyahu is “completely deluded” if he believes Egypt has no other options to face an energy crisis. He added, “I’m not defending [my country], but I’m speaking based on information that Egypt has alternatives and scenarios for what might happen.”

Rashwan suggested that “Netanyahu is trying to export a crisis to Egypt.”