Hamas’s economic predicament drives it to maintain ties with jihadi groups in Sinai even as it seeks to crack down on jihadi cells within Gaza.

Even as the United States works with Egypt to counter violent threats in Sinai, relations will remain tense because of Egypt’s insistence that political dissent be considered terrorism.

The current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, based on mutual short-term goals of deterrence, lacks a strategy for maintaining peace in the long term.

Egypt is taking unprecedented action to close the tunnels under the Sinai-Gaza border, although it is unclear if such efforts can be sustained.