Cairo has firmly rejected remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting Palestinians could be pushed toward the Egyptian border, warning that such a scenario represents a “red line” and a direct threat to its national security.
Netanyahu’s comments, indicating he was ready to consider opening the Rafah crossing to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza, prompted an immediate and strong response from Cairo. By accusing Egypt of “forcibly holding” civilians in a war zone, the Israeli leader rekindled simmering tensions.
According to the Israeli press, Netanyahu even threatened to suspend a newly signed gas agreement with Egypt.
The response from Cairo was swift. Diaa Rashwan, head of the State Information Service, denounced Netanyahu’s claims as “lies,” stressing that the Egyptian army remained the only force in the region capable of deterring Israel in a direct confrontation.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also dismissed the idea in unusually blunt terms, calling it “absurd.” In a meeting with UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, he warned that such a plan would endanger not only the survival of Palestinians but also the stability of neighbouring Arab states.
The tensions come against a backdrop of fragile relations since the 1979 Camp David Accords. Former ambassador Atef Salem described the situation as a “cold peace” sliding into a “latent threat,” citing the absence of an Egyptian ambassador in Tel Aviv, Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor, and fears of a forced transfer of Gazans into Sinai.
He argued that Israel’s moves reflect an attempt to shift the humanitarian and security burden of Gaza onto Egypt while sidelining its role as mediator.
Criticism has also emerged within Israel. Opposition leader Yair Lapid acknowledged that Netanyahu’s policies had undermined bilateral relations.
But in Cairo, the concerns run deeper. Egyptian officials view Israel’s stance as the revival of a longstanding project to relocate Palestinians into Sinai, an idea first floated in the 1950s.
Confronted with what it regards as an existential threat, Egypt is relying on Arab unity and its ties with Washington to counter Israeli ambitions.
“The displacement plan will not happen — at least not through Egypt’s gate,” Abdelatty declared, insisting that Israel’s designs would not be tolerated by Arab states.
MD/ac/sf/lb/as/APA