Egyptian Information Authority head Diaa Rashwan responded to Israeli reports indicating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to suspend the gas agreement with Egypt, stating he cannot bear the consequences of such a decision.

Rashwan said in a television interview: “I advise Netanyahu, and I hope he cancels the gas deal if he can bear the economic consequences,” explaining that the deal is economically important for both parties but “leans more towards Israel.”

The Egyptian official clarified that Egypt uses this gas domestically and liquefies and re-exports part of it, considering that Egypt will not face any crisis currently with the approaching end of summer if Israel suspends gas supply.

He confirmed that Egypt has many alternatives in the energy and gas file, and Netanyahu is “completely deluded” if he thinks Egypt has no other path to face an energy crisis, adding: “I am not defending but speaking based on information that Egypt has alternatives and scenarios for what might happen.”

He pointed out that “Netanyahu is trying to export a crisis to Egypt,” expressing surprise at the contradiction between “Israeli military complaints about Egypt’s troop buildup near the border, then economic threats,” and questioned: “Is Israel a very strong economic power but very weak militarily, or are we facing a Torah-based (Israeli right-wing) mix pushing to implement a displacement plan?”

On Tuesday, the Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom reported that Netanyahu ordered not to proceed with the massive gas deal with Egypt without his personal approval, citing allegations of “Egyptian breaches of the peace agreement” due to military reinforcements in Sinai.

According to the report, Netanyahu will discuss with Energy Minister Eli Cohen whether to proceed with the agreement and how before making a final decision.

Last August, the same newspaper published a report claiming that Israel now has significant influence over Egypt, days after signing the major gas deal between Egypt and Israel, calling to use “this card to pressure Egypt” regarding its policies towards Israel.

The Hebrew paper explained that despite the official peace agreement, Egypt acts towards Israel as an adversary with a large army targeting Israel at any time, adding: “It is time to make clear to Egypt that we are no longer playing the fool. It is time for Israel to act as a mature state and use its economic resources and available energy to strengthen this national interest.”