Egypt rejects Israeli Finance Minister's remarks on Sinai

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has sparked significant tension following remarks regarding the Sinai Peninsula. In an interview with the Israeli website Hashtagبلاخ, Smotrich suggested that if Egypt were to attack Israel, “there would be no Sinai, at least.”

His comments coincide with efforts by the Israeli far-right to promote plans for the displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Smotrich noted that the destruction of over 82% of homes in Gaza could serve as a factor in encouraging Palestinians to leave the territory voluntarily or otherwise.

Egypt has issued a decisive rejection of these statements, asserting its national sovereignty and stating that any attempt to involve its territory in Israeli political conflicts or to displace Palestinians into Sinai is a “red line” regarding its national security. Egyptian officials characterized the remarks as “hollow threats” used for political posturing. The diplomatic friction occurs as Egypt commemorates the 53rd anniversary of the October 1973 war, a period used by Egyptian sources to emphasize the military's capability to protect its borders.