Was Africa and the Middle East ever one land mass?

Yes, Africa and the Middle East were once part of a single landmass known as Gondwana, which existed during the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras. Over millions of years, tectonic plate movements caused the landmass to break apart, leading to the formation of the continents we recognize today. The Red Sea is a result of this rifting, separating the northeastern part of Africa from the Arabian Peninsula. Today, while they are distinct regions, geological and historical connections remain evident.