Israel’s Covert Airstrikes in Sinai Highlight Deepening Ties with Arab States

A recent report by the New York Times has revealed a secret military collaboration between Israel and Egypt, marking a significant shift in regional relations. According to the investigation, Israeli drones, helicopters, and jets have conducted over 100 covert airstrikes inside Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula over a two-year period — all with the approval of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

While Israel and Egypt have officially maintained peace since 1979, their relationship has often been described as a “cold peace.” Open military cooperation, particularly Israeli air operations on Egyptian soil, remains an exceptionally sensitive issue.

The New York Times report suggests that Egypt, long challenged by Islamist insurgents in the Sinai, sought Israel’s assistance to regain control of the region. For Egypt, Israeli intervention helped stabilize its security forces; for Israel, it reinforced border safety and regional stability.

Egyptian authorities, however, have denied the allegations, insisting that only Egyptian forces are engaged in counterinsurgency operations. Nonetheless, the report aligns with a broader regional trend — the quiet but growing rapprochement between Israel and moderate Sunni Arab states.

Shared Concerns Over Iran

This discreet cooperation is part of a larger realignment driven by shared fears of Iran’s regional influence and nuclear ambitions. Nations such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan have found common ground with Israel, partly due to what they perceive as a lack of U.S. resolve in confronting Tehran.

Recent diplomatic gestures, such as Saudi religious leader Mohammed al-Issa’s condemnation of Holocaust denial, underscore a subtle shift in Arab discourse — a tone that would have been unthinkable in the past.

Israel’s Strategic Calculus

Israeli leaders have been more open about this evolving dynamic. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described an emerging “alliance of modernists” among Israel and moderate Sunni states, united in countering Iran’s regional aggression.

Yet, this rapprochement exposes a paradox. While Israel strengthens ties with Arab governments, the Palestinian issue remains unresolved, and public opinion across the Arab world continues to view Israel with deep suspicion.

Some analysts argue that this moment of cautious cooperation could be an opportunity to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. However, others believe Israel’s leadership is pursuing a different strategy — improving relations with Arab states without making concessions to the Palestinians.

As one observer put it, Israel appears to believe it can “have its cake and eat it too” — deepening regional partnerships while leaving the core conflict at home untouched.