CAIRO: Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Egypt welcomed the return of the new Israeli ambassador to Egypt during the visit of a high profile Israeli delegation to Egypt on Wednesday. Israeli Channel 10 said the ministry announced that the recent visit conducted by the Israeli delegation to Egypt succeeded in achieving its objective. They clarified that the delegation discussed arrangements to send the new ambassador to Cairo, Jacob Amitai, with the Egyptian officials. The Israeli diplomatic institution said the talks conducted with the Egyptian officials witnessed a state of optimism. It added that the Egyptian administration showed serious intent to return the Israeli diplomatic representation. Relations between Egypt and Israel have been strained since Israeli soldiers shot and killed Egyptian border guards over the summer, after which a group of Egyptian demonstrators attacked the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, leading to the withdrawal of most of Israel's diplomatic mission to Egypt. Former Israeli Ambassador Yitzhak Levanon was among those to leave. The Israeli Security Agency, Shin Bet, refused to send the Israeli ambassador or diplomats back to Egypt until the Egyptian government drafted a plan that ensured the security of their diplomatic staff. They also demanded that a new headquarters be found for their offices, currently located in an apartment building in Giza. Israeli newspaper Haartez revealed that Israel's deputy ambassador to Cairo remained in Egypt, performing his duties from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Other diplomats are scheduled to arrive soon in Cairo to help him.
