Egypt intel officials visited Israel to discuss security, economic cooperation: report

An Egyptian intelligence delegation travelled to Israel earlier this week to discuss security issues and economic cooperation, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported on Friday.

An Egyptian source familiar with a Cairo-led intra-Palestinian mediation effort told The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site that the delegation included two prominent officials, including a top intelligence agency official and a North Sinai security chief. 

The unnamed source said the two parties discussed security issues, including new measures agreed upon in the aftermath of the killing of three Israeli soldiers by an Egyptian conscript in March.

Economic matters were also on the table, including questions over energy cooperation and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

The source added that the possibility of Saudi normalisation with Israel was also discussed, with the meeting deliberately coinciding with Egypt's hosting of a tripartite summit between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier this week.

The Egyptian delegation reportedly emphasised the importance of involving Cairo in any agreements made relating to the Palestinian cause. 

Egypt has long acted as a mediator between the Palestinians and Israel, as well as intra-Palestinian negotiations.

During the tripartite summit on Monday, Cairo said in a joint statement that it would work to revive the dormant Israel-Palestine peace talks.

"The three leaders emphasised the importance of Israel halting all settlement activity, confiscating Palestinian land and the eviction of Palestinians from their homes and changing the nature and identity of Jerusalem," the statement read.