JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon visited Egypt two weeks ago and met with top officials, Israeli daily Ma'ariv reported Tuesday.
It is the first time since the country's former leader Hosni Mubarak was toppled that such a high-ranking Israeli political official visited Egypt, the daily reported, although the Israeli foreign ministry has denied the visit took place.
Ma'ariv said that Ayalon met with Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt’s higher military council, and Egyptian foreign minister Nabil Al-Arabi.
Discussion focused on the reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah, the re-opening of the Rafah crossing, and gas deals between the two countries.
Traditionally, only high ranking Israeli officials who have enjoyed special relationships with Egypt have visited the country.
The alleged visit is politically significant in the wake of changing regional dynamics.
Egypt has played an increasingly important role with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, brokering the political unity deal between Hamas and Fatah, and opening its Gaza crossing. The visit is one of the first Israeli attempts to engage with the new Egyptian leadership.
Egypt and Israel signed a peace deal in 1979. Although Mubarak enforced the treaty, it has always remained unpopular with the Egyptian public.
It is the first time since the country's former leader Hosni Mubarak was toppled that such a high-ranking Israeli political official visited Egypt, the daily reported, although the Israeli foreign ministry has denied the visit took place.
Ma'ariv said that Ayalon met with Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt’s higher military council, and Egyptian foreign minister Nabil Al-Arabi.
Discussion focused on the reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fatah, the re-opening of the Rafah crossing, and gas deals between the two countries.
Traditionally, only high ranking Israeli officials who have enjoyed special relationships with Egypt have visited the country.
The alleged visit is politically significant in the wake of changing regional dynamics.
Egypt has played an increasingly important role with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, brokering the political unity deal between Hamas and Fatah, and opening its Gaza crossing. The visit is one of the first Israeli attempts to engage with the new Egyptian leadership.
Egypt and Israel signed a peace deal in 1979. Although Mubarak enforced the treaty, it has always remained unpopular with the Egyptian public.
