The Camp David Accords, a pivotal moment in the history of Egypt under President Anwar Sadat, were a series of agreements signed in September 1978 that laid the groundwork for peace between Egypt and Israel. The background to the Accords stemmed from decades of conflict and tension between Arab nations, including Egypt, and Israel, particularly following the 1967 Six-Day War and the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The negotiations were a significant departure from Egypt's previous policy of non-recognition and hostility towards Israel.

Key figures in these negotiations included Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who hosted the talks at the Camp David retreat. The negotiations took place from 5 to 17 September 1978.

The Camp David Accords comprised two frameworks: one for peace between Egypt and Israel and another for broader peace in the Middle East, including a proposal for Palestinian autonomy. The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, formalized in March 1979, led to Egypt's recognition of Israel and Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, which it had occupied since 1967.

The Accords had profound effects on Egypt and the region. For Egypt, it marked a major shift in foreign policy and a move towards peaceful coexistence with Israel. However, the agreement was met with widespread opposition in the Arab world, leading to Egypt's temporary suspension from the Arab League and strained relations with other Arab nations. Domestically, Sadat faced significant opposition, particularly from Islamist groups, culminating in his assassination in 1981.

For Sadat, the Camp David Accords were part of a broader strategy of moving Egypt away from Soviet influence and towards a closer relationship with the United States, a shift that included economic and political reforms within Egypt. The peace process, although controversial, was seen as a step towards stability and development in a region long plagued by conflict.