Cairo: Egypt on Thursday declared a significant natural gas deal with Israel as 'purely commercial without political dimensions,' amid ongoing discussions relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the $35-billion natural gas agreement with Egypt on Wednesday, which has sparked debate over Egypt's position on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Diaa Rashwan, chairman of Egypt's State Information Service, clarified in a statement that the deal is strictly based on economic and investment considerations, devoid of any political implications or understandings.

Rashwan emphasized that Egypt's commitment to the Palestinian cause remains steadfast, asserting that the country's support for the Palestinian people's legitimate rights, rejection of forced displacement, and adherence to the two-state solution remain unchanged.

He further added that the gas agreement is governed by market rules and international investment mechanisms, distancing it from any political usage or interpretation. Rashwan highlighted that the agreement involves well-established international commercial companies in the energy sector, such as US-based Chevron, along with Egyptian companies specializing in gas handling, without direct government intervention in contract negotiations.

The agreement stipulates that partners will supply 130 billion cubic meters of gas to Egypt until 2040, in return for approximately $35 billion. This deal is part of a series of Israeli natural gas supplies to Egypt over the past five years.