Nigeria, May 17 -- Israel's deadly assault on Gaza - including the recent escalation with attacks on the southern city of Rafah - continues to reverberate across the region and the world.

It is straining the hitherto rock-solid friendship between Israel and the United States (US) and could cost President Joe Biden the White House later this year as young Democrats increasingly protest against his continued support for Israel. This support has weakened the US' international standing relative to its global adversaries, Russia and China, in the eyes of many in the global south.

Egypt has found itself in a particularly awkward position. As Gaza's only neighbour besides Israel, it's feeling the repercussions of the war more than most. This h...