Although the economic crisis has not hit Egypt as catastrophically as it has many other countries, it would be overly optimistic to claim the nation is unaffected. Several key sectors, such as the stock market, tourism, and automotive industries, remain vulnerable. Growth is also expected to decline to 4.8% in 2009. However, the global political winds appear to be shifting in Egypt’s favour. Following the brutal Israeli assault on Gaza—a campaign met with global silence, Arab impotence, and the absence of an active US administration—it became evident that Israel failed to achieve even its most basic political goals amidst the devastation and ethnic cleansing inflicted on Gaza. With President Obama’s statements following his inauguration, the Kuwaiti Economic Summit’s decision to establish a Gaza Reconstruction Fund, and Europe’s heightened interest in improving its global image, all parties involved in the Palestinian cause have been propelled towards convening a special conference in Egypt for this reconstruction project.

Despite widespread popular opposition across the Arab world in the first two weeks of the aggression—criticising Egypt’s role in handling the crisis—and the numerous attempts by other actors to carve out a role for themselves, the influential powers involved in the Palestinian cause confirmed that Egypt’s role is the only one permitted among all the Arab aspirants. With this role solidified by the upcoming conference on Egyptian soil, one must ask: how can Egypt economically benefit from this supportive context, even if some continue to criticise its position?

Leaving aside the broader political and humanitarian dimensions of the Palestinian cause, particularly the recent war on Gaza, let us focus solely on the economic aspects of these developments. Even before the assault on Gaza, Egypt—via the Rafah border crossing—was the only window to the world for this isolated territory. This fact cannot be overlooked in terms of trade and services for Gaza’s residents, which only Egypt could provide. This dependency periodically generated economic activity, especially in Sinai, although it fluctuated sharply based on the opening or closure of the crossing. Even during the inhumane blockade of the territory, Palestinians managed to sustain an economic link with Egypt through underground tunnels.

Now, after the war on Gaza and its unprecedented global media coverage of the destruction, the world’s attention has been forced onto the region. This, in turn, compelled world leaders to adopt minimal humanitarian positions, such as pledging to rebuild what Israel’s military destroyed. Once again, Egypt emerges as the sole gateway to Gaza, tasked with facilitating this global mandate to expedite reconstruction efforts and repair reputational damage—despite the severe economic crisis gripping donors, including Egypt itself. Egypt, however, is not one of the donors; it remains the indispensable conduit.

This situation presents an unexpected boon for the Egyptian economy amidst the bleak outlook and the ongoing struggles of several vital domestic sectors. While the mechanisms of reconstruction remain unclear—whether they exclude Hamas or not—the process will proceed regardless of who participates in managing the reconstruction fund. Confident in its globally recognised centrality to this effort, Egypt has already witnessed reports of many domestic companies vying to participate in the project, regardless of political positions. Even if they do not, Egypt will inevitably benefit. At the very least, a significant opportunity arises for the growth of various service sectors linked to this initiative, offering a much-needed alleviation of the local economic crisis. This can be described, in a sense, as the ‘benefits’ reaped amid the suffering of ‘our brethren’ in Gaza.

This article is originally published by El Borsagia in Arabic and later AI-translated by South Push.