In a first comment on reports that Egypt may suspend the peace treaty with Israel, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday his country has upheld its peace treaty with Israel for the past 40 years, serving as the foundation for diplomatic relations between the two nations.
“There is a peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, which has been in effect for the past 40 years and will continue to be. We are actively dealing with this matter at this stage,” Shoukry said during a press conference with his Slovenian counterpart Tanja Fajon in the capital Ljubljana.
Shoukry added that Egypt would adhere to the 1979 peace treaty as long as it remains reciprocal. “Therefore, I will rule out any comments that have been made on this matter,” he said.
The FM also affirmed that Cairo will continue its efforts with both parties to reach an agreement that leads to the release of hostages and prisoners and ensuring the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip.
He reiterated Egypt’s rejection of forced displacement of Palestinians from their lands, warning against the Israel planned assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Smotrich’s Comments
In a related development, Egypt's foreign ministry on Monday condemned as “unacceptable” and “provocative” comments by Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich who claimed Cairo has “considerable responsibility” for Hamas's October 7 attack.
Smotrich said during a Monday meeting of his Religious Zionist Party that “the Egyptians bear considerable responsibility for October 7,” also claiming that “much of Hamas's armaments pass through Egypt,” which shares a border with Gaza and has been a key mediator in efforts to end the fighting.
In a statement, Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said it was “unfortunate and disgraceful” for the Israeli minister to “continue releasing irresponsible and inflammatory statements.”
“Egypt fully controls its territory, and does not allow any party to involve Egypt's name in failed attempts to justify its own shortcomings,” he said.
Tensed Relations
Moreover, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman told MBC Masr on Monday there is “tension” in relations between Egypt and Israel after Cairo confirmed its categorical rejection of a possible Israeli ground military operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
Cairo is "ready for any scenario and has many cards to use when the time comes,” Abu Zeid said.
On Sunday, two Egyptian officials and a Western diplomat told The Associated Press that Egypt may suspend the peace treaty if Israeli troops invade Rafah. Netanyahu says Rafah is Hamas' last remaining stronghold after more than four months of war and that sending in ground troops is essential to defeat the group.
Also, the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal had reported on Saturday that Egyptian officials warned the decades-long peace treaty between Egypt and Israel could be suspended if Israeli troops enter Rafah, or if any of Rafah’s refugees are forced southward into the Sinai Peninsula.
