freedom of Israeli shipping through the Straits of Tiran. The agreement by Egypt to handover the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia required the approval of Israel to modify the military annex to the peace treaty. Israel was notified in writing about the transfer weeks before it was made public, and gave its approval in writing to Egypt and, indirectly, to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir publicly stated that his country would honour the Egypt–Israel peace treaty's terms as regards the island and the continued stationing of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) forces on the island. Israel also agreed to the construction of the Saudi–Egypt Causeway between the Egyptian and Saudi mainlands which would pass through Tiran. However, an Egyptian court issued a final ruling, rejecting the transfer of the islands to Saudi Arabia after a team of lawyers have presented historical documents in support of Egypt’s ownership of the islands, both historically and geographically, before the court. The court confirmed Egypt's sovereignty over the two islands and stated that the government failed to provide evidence that the islands belonged to Saudi Arabia. On 14 June 2017, Egypt's House Committee on Defence and National Security unanimously approved the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia and the plan was passed by the Egyptian Parliament later the same day. On Wednesday 21 June 2017, Egypt’s top court temporarily halted all court verdicts on the agreement to transfer the two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Finally, on Saturday 24 June 2017, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt ratified the agreement that cedes sovereignty over the two Red Sea islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia. On 14 July 2022, Israel agreed to the deal between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Transport The planned Saudi-Egypt Causeway would pass through Tiran Island. See also Sanafir Island Straits of Tiran Notes External links Observation Post 3-11, Tiran Island, GlobalSecurity.org BirdLife Factsheet - Tiran Island Tiran Island , Tourist info Islands of the Red Sea Uninhabited islands of Saudi Arabia Catholic titular sees in Asia Former disputed land areas Egypt–Saudi Arabia relations