A Cairo court has ordered Egypt to halt any supply of natural gas to Israel, prompting Cairo to prepare a petition to the nation’s high court. Egyptian government officials are now seeking to freeze the court’s decision pending the appeal, hoping to continue supplying gas during the interim period.

According to a report appearing in the London-based al-Hayat, a court ruled on the matter on Tuesday, responding to a petition filed by a number of Egyptian attorneys who oppose the gas deal with Israel. The petitioners maintain that the deal results in a significant loss to Egypt and as a result, the deal should be canceled.

The natural gas deal between the two countries was signed in 2005.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)