Media: Egypt strengthens military, warns Israel of possible conflict

At this week’s Arab-Islamic summit in Atar, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appeared visibly exasperated with Israel’s actions.

The National reports that al-Sisi publicly referred to Israel as an “enemy” for the first time in decades and warned that the 1979 peace treaty could be annulled if current conditions persist. In recent months, the former general has intensified his criticism of Israel, accusing it of starving Palestinians in Gaza and describing its military operations there as genocide.

Behind these public statements, Egypt’s military — the largest in the Middle East — is quietly moving into combat readiness to prepare for a scenario in which Israeli actions make life in Gaza so intolerable that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians might attempt to cross into Egypt.

Al-Sisi has repeatedly stressed that any such movement, whether voluntary or forced, would cross a red line that he will not tolerate.

Egypt is also bolstering its forces in Sinai. Unconfirmed media reports indicate the establishment of a new network of tunnels, heavily protected aircraft hangars, and runways. Sources say that Egypt recently deployed the latest Chinese-made HQ-9B air defence system in the Sinai Peninsula, historically the site of all four wars with Israel between 1948 and 1973.

Thousands of Sinai tribe members, armed by the military to combat extremists in northern Sinai, are reportedly prepared to provide support if hostilities arise. The Egyptian armed forces are also stockpiling fuel, food, and medical supplies in case of emergencies, while enhancing efforts to ensure adequate reserves of wheat, flour, and vegetable oil for the country’s 107 million residents.

Internal security agencies have conducted large-scale drills in cities across Sinai and the Suez Canal region to test the readiness of special police units against potential terrorist attacks or dissident actions exploiting conflict to incite unrest.

State media and pro-government social media accounts are fostering patriotic sentiment and promoting confidence in al-Sisi’s leadership and the army’s capabilities. Some television talk shows have even reminded Israel that Tel Aviv lies only minutes from the Egyptian border, warning that a new war today could be far more devastating than the 1973 conflict.

By Tamilla Hasanova