On 15 January, Israel began its first day of exporting natural gas to its southern neighbour Egypt as part of a landmark deal signed in December. According to reports, Israel will supply natural gas to Egypt for the next 15 years, which plans to liquefy it and export it to Europe.
Israel has emerged as a major energy player in the Middle East, with the discoveries of the Tamar gas field in 2009 and the Leviathan reservoir in 2010.