After engaging in conflicts with Israel in 1948, 1956, 1967, and 1973, Egypt was the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty and establish diplomatic relations with Israel in 1979. This agreement resulted in a "cold peace", characterized by limited economic, cultural, and societal connections marked by suspicion.
Nonetheless, co-operation in energy and security has been substantial and has grown stronger under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt started importing Israeli gas in 2020 and has hosted the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, of which Israel is a member.
Both countries also enforced a blockade on Gaza since 2007 when the territory fell under the control of Hamas, an off shoot of the Islamist Muslim Brother hood movement banned in Egypt.