Egypt has strongly condemned what it sees as Israeli policies aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians towards its borders, warning such actions pose a direct threat to its national security, an informed Egyptian source told Asharq al-Awsat.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said Israel’s handling of the Gaza conflict indicates a lack of seriousness in reaching a ceasefire agreement or engaging in meaningful efforts to resolve the crisis.
“Cairo is alarmed by attempts to push Palestinians toward Egyptian territory and set up tent encampments near the border,” the source said, calling the move “a threat to Egypt’s national security.”
The comments came as Israeli media reported that Egypt had warned Israel against expanding military operations in Rafah.
According to Israel’s Channel 7, Egypt’s security delegation involved in the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks expressed strong opposition to Israel’s proposed military deployment map, citing its implications for Egyptian sovereignty and security.
Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Cairo views Israel’s plan to establish a “tent city” for displaced Palestinians near the Egypt-Gaza border as a “ticking time bomb.”
The plan, which envisions relocating hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the area, has heightened Egyptian concerns over a potential refugee crisis on its doorstep.
The Israeli channels said Egypt’s increased military presence in Sinai, particularly in Zone C, where military activity is limited under the 1979 peace treaty, was intended as a message to Israel.
Egypt may also reassess the peace agreement if Israeli actions are deemed to constitute a clear violation of the treaty.
Cairo warns of breach of peace deal
Egyptian national security and international relations expert Major General Mohamed Abdel Wahid said Egypt “categorically rejects any Israeli military presence along the Egyptian-Palestinian border,” including Israel’s control of the Philadelphi Corridor and Rafah. “This is a breach of the peace treaty,” he said.
“Egypt has previously warned that the peace agreement may be at risk,” Abdel Wahid told Asharq al-Awsat.
“Cairo remains committed to the treaty, but it is clear that Israel is not respecting its obligations and is pursuing its interests at any cost.”
Abdel Wahid accused Israel of deliberately pushing Palestinians toward Egypt’s borders in preparation for a forced displacement plan, saying this would amount to an effective dismantling of the Palestinian cause, something Egypt wholly rejects.
Tensions between Egypt and Israel have reached their highest level since the current war in Gaza began, especially after Israel resumed strikes on the enclave and failed to implement a ceasefire agreement brokered primarily by Cairo. Egypt has also objected to Israel’s continued military control over the Philadelphi Corridor and its refusal to reopen border crossings.
In recent weeks, Egyptian media reported a buildup of troops and heavy weaponry in northern Sinai’s Zone C, a development analysts say signals Cairo’s growing frustration. While the move may stretch the limits of the peace deal, Egyptian sources argue it is a response to Israeli violations.
Tensions political, not military – expert
Major General Sayed Ghoneim, a fellow at the Egyptian Military Academy for Postgraduate and Strategic Studies, said the strain in Egyptian-Israeli ties remains “political and diplomatic - not military.”
“There’s a political disagreement over policies and a diplomatic rift between the two foreign ministries,” Ghoneim told Asharq al-Awsat. “But the defense ministries remain on coordinated terms, particularly in matters related to peacekeeping. Any tensions are being handled through established channels.”
Ghoneim, who also serves as a visiting professor at NATO and the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, noted that one sign of diplomatic tension is Egypt’s refusal to accredit a new Israeli ambassador since the previous envoy left. Egypt also recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv and has not sent him back.
He emphasized that while Israel’s military presence along the Egypt-Gaza border is in violation of the peace agreement and is a core reason for the current political discord, the situation has not escalated into a military confrontation.
Israeli forces seized full control of Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, including the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing, in May 2024. Israel has accused Egypt of failing to stop the flow of weapons into Gaza through tunnels, an allegation Cairo denies.
The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty prohibits the use or threat of force between the two countries and mandates peaceful resolution of disputes.
It also regulates military deployments along their shared border and established a joint military coordination committee.
