Egypt is reportedly delaying the approval of Israel’s new ambassador to Cairo due to rising tensions between the two nations over the Philadelphi Corridor, a border area between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Israeli media outlets reported this development on Sunday.
According to Israel 24, former ambassador Amira Oron concluded her tenure two weeks ago and returned to Israel, but the incoming envoy, Uri Rothman, has yet to receive Egypt’s formal approval. As a result, Rothman remains in Israel, leaving the position vacant.
The delay is said to be a deliberate move by Cairo, with Israeli sources attributing it to tensions over Tel Aviv’s insistence on maintaining military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor. Egyptian officials and Hamas strongly oppose Israel’s occupation of this strategic area.
An unnamed Israeli source suggested that Egypt’s reluctance to approve Rothman’s appointment is intended as a punitive measure, noting that Cairo has even refrained from accepting his letter of recommendation.
Typically, Egypt’s president would officially welcome a new ambassador in a formal ceremony, but “the last thing Cairo wants now is a picture of a new Israeli ambassador being respectfully received by President Al-Sisi,” the source claimed.
