Netanyahu Freezes Israel’s Biggest Gas Deal Ever — Egypt Left in the Dark

By The Blogging Hounds The already fragile foundations of the Middle East’s “peace architecture” are cracking, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to freeze a record-breaking $35 billion natural gas deal with Egypt, citing alleged violations of the 1979 Camp David treaty. The decision injects unprecedented strain into a relationship once held up…

By The Blogging Hounds

The already fragile foundations of the Middle East’s “peace architecture” are cracking, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to freeze a record-breaking $35 billion natural gas deal with Egypt, citing alleged violations of the 1979 Camp David treaty. The decision injects unprecedented strain into a relationship once held up as a model for Arab-Israeli normalization.

The Largest Gas Deal in Israel’s History
Announced just weeks ago, the agreement would have seen Israel export 130 billion cubic meters of natural gas from its Leviathan field to Egypt between 2026 and 2040, making it the largest deal of its kind in Israel’s history. For Egypt, struggling with declining production at its Zohr field and facing rolling blackouts, the imports were a matter of survival. For Israel, it was a chance to cement regional energy dominance and lock Egypt into deeper economic dependence.

But Netanyahu has now slammed the brakes. According to Israeli daily Israel Hayom, the prime minister has insisted the deal cannot advance without his personal approval and is consulting with Energy Minister Eli Cohen, the cabinet official whose signature is required for ratification.

The Sinai Flashpoint
Behind the sudden freeze lies a combustible mix of military and political tensions. Israeli media report that Egypt has deployed as many as 40,000 troops in the Sinai Peninsula—far beyond Camp David limits—along with infrastructure upgrades that Israel claims include tunnels, airstrips, and armored positions. At the same time, Cairo accuses Israel of violating the treaty by seizing and occupying the Philadelphi Corridor along Gaza’s border, a move that Egypt says tears up the accords.

U.S.-led monitors, once tasked with overseeing the treaty’s provisions, have reportedly scaled back their presence, leaving both sides free to accuse the other of violations. Israel’s ambassador to Washington has even lobbied the Trump administration to increase scrutiny of Egypt’s deployments.

Weaponizing Energy as Leverage
Critics note that Netanyahu’s timing is no accident. Egypt has been one of the loudest Arab voices condemning Israel’s war on Gaza and has backed South Africa’s genocide case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice. By suspending the gas deal, Israel is openly leveraging Egypt’s energy dependence to silence Cairo’s opposition.

For the first time, Israel is wielding natural gas as a tool of political coercion, forcing Egypt to choose between blackout-level shortages at home or concessions on Gaza and Sinai. Observers say Netanyahu’s move illustrates how energy politics in the Eastern Mediterranean have been weaponized to enforce compliance not only on Arab neighbors but on Europe itself, which struck a 2022 deal with Tel Aviv and Cairo to reroute Israeli gas supplies westward.

Prophetic Warning: Peace Built on Sand
The unraveling of the Camp David framework carries prophetic undertones. The Bible warns in 1 Thessalonians 5:3: “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” The “peace” between Israel and Egypt was always tenuous—more geopolitical contract than reconciliation. Now, under the pressure of war in Gaza and Israel’s quest for regional dominance, it is fracturing.

Netanyahu’s use of energy as leverage exposes the fragility of the so-called peace. The more Israel seeks to bind its neighbors through economic dependency, the more resentment builds beneath the surface. This is not stability—it is a powder keg.

Conclusion: The Gas Weapon and the Gathering Storm
Netanyahu’s gamble reveals a dangerous truth: the peace treaty that once kept the region from descending into all-out war is being hollowed out by mutual violations and opportunistic exploitation. Egypt, once courted as a model partner, is now trapped between blackouts at home and submission to Israeli demands.

As the gas weapon becomes another instrument of coercion, the broader prophetic picture comes into focus: alliances of convenience are unraveling, regional hostilities are reigniting, and the road to wider conflict lies open.

Enjoying Our Content? Help Keep It Going!
When you shop through one of our hand-picked affiliate links below , you’re directly supporting this blog. We’re truly grateful for your support!