Israel Fears Losing Its Southern Gateway

The Israeli platform HaYom indicated that Egypt is racing against time to complete a strategic 500-kilometer railway corridor linking al-Arish port to the Taba area, raising economic and strategic concerns in Tel Aviv about losing control of southern crossings and declining logistical status. It noted that Egypt is expanding al-Arish port and pushing the route southward, while the Israeli dry port in Shchori remains tied to a railway project that has not materialized, amid concern that Taba could become a direct commercial competitor to Eilat.