Egyptian president addresses possibility of war with Israel

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi responded to remarks by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and denied intentions of war against Israel, but the article emphasizes that Israel cannot rely solely on declarations in light of the lessons of October 7.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi addressed yesterday (Wednesday) at a conference marking 53 years since the Yom Kippur War the remarks of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who stated that "if Egypt attacks us, there will be no Sinai." El-Sisi denied any intention to start a war with Israel, saying: "And who told you that we want to fight? We have no aspirations towards anyone. Our land is in our hands, we fought to reclaim it, and that's over." He claimed that Cairo has no secret plans or territorial aspirations towards Israel, adding: "Are you still holding on to the fears of the last 60 years? Do you still think I have aspirations towards something that belongs to you? No. I have only one aspiration: to protect my country, its borders, and its land." The article emphasizes that Israel has learned the hard way what the cost may be of relying on declarations and stated intentions of its neighbors, and that el-Sisi's words are not an insurance policy.