Earlier today, CNN reported that an Egyptian intelligence official quietly made changes to a document and thereby scuttled a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

An Israeli official stated that this was done to make Israel look bad, but the report presents no further evidence for this.

Egypt's general policy towards Hamas is apparently complicated. According to a 2021 commentary Egypt has generally been hostile towards Hamas but sought common ground with them against the IS insurgency in Sinai. That insurgency seems dormant if not dead.

All parties involved in the negotiations were apparently shocked by Egypt's actions. Is there any analysis that might help explain what Egypt hoped to achieve by undermining the ceasefire deal? Is there reason to support the Israeli view? Is it possible that this was done by a rogue official acting on his own motivations? Does Egypt benefit from the war? Is making Israel look bad important enough to explain why Egypt would risk its reputation as a negotiating partner?