Egypt's response to Smotrich's threat of 'erasing Sinai'

Egyptian President al-Sisi responded to Finance Minister Smotrich's threat that 'there will be no Sinai' if Egypt attacks Israel. Al-Sisi stated that Egypt has no territorial ambitions toward any party, and emphasized Cairo's commitment to the peace agreement and the two-state solution.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi responded yesterday (Wednesday) to the threat made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said last week that if Israel is attacked by Egypt, 'there will be no Sinai.' Al-Sisi declared that Egypt has 'no hidden agendas or territorial ambitions toward any party.' His remarks came during an event marking 53 years since the Yom Kippur War. Al-Sisi said Egypt waged the war to defend its territory and succeeded in reclaiming its lands. Regarding the peace agreement with Israel, he said it serves as a framework regulating relations between the two countries. Al-Sisi also addressed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating that Cairo is committed to the two-state solution, which he described as 'the only realistic way to achieve a just peace.' The Egyptian presidency responded to Smotrich's remarks: 'The president wonders if there are certain circles in Israel that cultivate unjustified perceptions or concerns regarding Egyptian intentions.' Smotrich sparked a controversy in Egypt after saying in an interview: 'If they attack - there is no Sinai.' Media outlets in the Arab world echoed his words, and one Egyptian channel accused him of 'election propaganda.'

Egypt's response to Smotrich's threat of 'erasing Sinai'