Egypt-Israel deal could pave way to wider gas trade

An agreement by Egypt to supply natural gas to Israel could be the first of several deals to export gas to the Levant and beyond. Gaza and Jordan are already lining-up to receive Egyptian gas, which could ultimately be supplied to other countries if plans to connect the separate gas transmission system, of the region now go ahead. How soon this ambitious scheme can be realised will depend to a considerable extent on further progress in dealing with the territorial and other disputes between Israel and Palestine.