Egypt's interest in avoiding a massive Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip and its concern for the humanitarian situation there goes beyond its strong desire to see a stable and peaceful Middle East.
It also has to do with the increasing pressures of public opinion both inside and outside the country.
While there isn't much sympathy in Egypt for Hamas, there is a lot of sympathy for the Palestinian civilians who are suffering under the tight blockade imposed on the Hamas-controlled strip and who would be vulnerable in a military offensive, said Gamal Abdel Gawad, head of the international relations unit at the Cairo-based al-Ahram Center for Strategic and Political Studies.
"The Egyptian public cannot tolerate a massive Israeli military operation in Gaza in which Palestinians will be hurt, particularly civilians," Gawad said. An escalation of violence there "would make the living conditions much worse. There will be a political cost for Egypt and the Egyptian government has to do something about it."
It was reported Thursday night that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has instructed troops to open Gaza crossings Friday for humanitarian supplies.
Massive public protests against Israel and in support of Palestinians are not uncommon in Cairo when tensions or violence flare with Israel.