On Friday, Hot Air posted an article about the underground tunnels that run from Rafah to Egypt. The article speculates that the tunnels are the reason Egypt has been against the invasion of Rafah by Israel.

The article reports:

Juuuussssttttt spitballin’ here, but it certainly seems like we have an answer for Egypt’s extraordinary pissiniss about Israel’s plans to clear out Rafah.

I have to admit, this was the favored line of thinking over the past few weeks as the Biden administration sabotaged every Israeli move, and the Egyptians blustered and threatened. Almost to a one, folks weren’t at all fooled. They were asking, “What is Egypt worried the Israelis are going to find?”

At least fifty tunnels – so far – scootin’ over – well, under – the border into Egypt.

What are the odds?

And what are the odds the Egyptians knew nothing?

Slim to none.

Why, though? Why would Egypt jeopardize a place at the table with Israel and the big dogs to grovel in the dirt with terrorists like Hamas?

The article includes the following Tweet:

The article notes:

…I think we can now fairly say the relationship is much more complicated than that. Egypt has propped up Hamas for years by allowing supply lines to go through it. 50 tunnels could not go through the border without Al-Sisi and his regime knowing about it.  .

Also keep in mind that Israeli intelligence believes that most arms for Hamas are brought in through the Rafah Crossing, which is under Egyptian supervision.  

In addition, their threats to torpedo the peace agreement if Israel goes into Rafah no longer seem to be just about refugees leaving Gaza. It also pertains to finding the tunnels and the extent of Egyptian cooperation with Hamas. In addition, it appears their resistance was part of an attempt to keep Hamas in power.  

I don’t have all the answers to why Egypt is supporting Hamas, but this is my guess: 

1) They have a modus vivendi with Hamas. They ask that Hamas not intervene in Egyptian politics and not undermine control in Sinai. In return, they turn a blind eye to the tunnels and arms going in. 2) They are getting kickbacks from Hamas and possibly Iran and Qatar in return. Egypt has serious economic and debt problems and could desperately use a source of income. 3) Egypt is rife with antisemitism, and they will lose no sleep over helping its enemies.

The political alliances in the Middle East are very complicated. Israel lives in a very rough neighborhood. It is only through showing strength (and the grace of God) that Israel has been able to survive . I hope the invasion of Rafah is quick and thorough. The people responsible for October 7th need to pay a price high enough so that events like that will never happen again.