In an atmosphere filled with uncertainty and speculation, a serious question has begun to circulate in Egypt: Will we go to war with Israel? This fear has become part of everyday conversations, especially after successive economic crises and shocking images of violence in Gaza and Lebanon, writes A2 CNN.
Increased speculation and media games
The debate over a possible military clash between Egypt and Israel has been fueled by diplomatic tensions, particularly over former US President Donald Trump's plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt. The proposal has heightened feelings of insecurity in Egypt and fueled theories of a potential conflict.
On social media and television in both countries, artificial intelligence-generated scenarios depicting mutual military attacks, such as striking Egypt's High Dam or an attack on an Israeli nuclear reactor, have appeared. Media reports, particularly from far-right sites in Israel, have spread inaccurate information about an Egyptian military buildup on the border.
What is happening in the Sinai Peninsula?
At the center of the debate is Egypt's military presence in the Sinai Peninsula. The 1979 peace agreement, brokered by the US, limits Egypt's military presence in the area, writes A2 CNN. However, in 2016, Egypt received Israeli approval to increase its military presence to fight against a local branch of ISIS. Now, allegations of a new increase in military presence have been dismissed by security experts as baseless and exaggerated by the media.
Israeli officials, such as Israel's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, have alleged that Egypt is violating the peace agreement by building bases that could be used for offensive operations. This has been followed by concerns raised by Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, who has publicly questioned why Egypt is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in military equipment.
Reaction of authorities and analysts
Egyptian and Israeli military officials have not commented directly on the claims, but military experts in both countries have dismissed reports of war preparations. According to Egyptian analyst Hossam el-Hamalawy, no Egyptian tanks enter Sinai without Israeli approval, and most of the videos circulating in the media are old or were not filmed in the area at all.
A rare statement by a senior Egyptian military commander, Major General Ahmad Mahmoud Safi El-Din, confirmed that Egypt's military spending is aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the region, signaling no preparations for conflict.
Pressure on the peace agreement
The peace agreement between Egypt and Israel, which has stood intact for 45 years, is facing unprecedented challenges. The main factors that could jeopardize this agreement include:
Relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt – Egypt has warned that such a move would pose a threat to its national security and could lead to open conflict with Israel.
Israeli military operations in Rafah – Attacks on this border town have increased tensions and fueled concerns about a spread of the conflict in Sinai.
Diplomatic pressure from the US and Arab countries – Arab countries are trying to formulate a counterproposal to Trump's plan, aiming to avoid a scenario that could destabilize the region.
Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy has stressed that rationality must prevail to protect the peace agreement. He and security experts see the media alarmism as exaggerated, but do not ignore the fact that its intensity is increasing significantly.
Is war a real possibility?
Despite much speculation, officials and experts on both sides of the border agree that war is not inevitable. However, concerns remain that further escalation could lead to a serious crisis. As Egyptian presenter Amr Adib said on his show: “We are not on the brink of war, but that could change at any moment.” (A2 Televizion)
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