Watan-“After Iran, Egypt is Next” — this phrase echoed widely across Egyptian social media, reflecting rising fears that Israel’s aggression toward Iran signals a broader plan for regional domination, possibly targeting Egypt next.
Many see Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision of a “New Middle East,” which centers on expanding Israel’s influence, as clashing directly with Egypt’s interests—particularly in rejecting efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, a move that could ignite direct confrontation.
These concerns resurfaced when Netanyahu recently held up a map of the “New Middle East” at the UN General Assembly, notably excluding any Palestinian state and featuring only Arab states normalized with Israel.
Displacement Fears and Opposition Warnings
Egypt’s Civil Democratic Movement, a coalition of opposition parties, warned that the U.S.-backed Israeli attack on Iran risks dragging the entire region into prolonged war and chaos. They specifically cautioned against pressure to relocate Palestinians from Gaza into Sinai, urging the Egyptian government to strengthen internal unity and intensify diplomatic efforts to stop the aggression on both Iran and Gaza.
Revolutionary Socialists: “Pure Terrorism”
The Revolutionary Socialists movement issued a statement titled “Bombing Iran, Terrorizing the Region,” condemning the Israeli assault on Iran as the beginning of a terrifying new era of regional domination. The message: Israel seeks to monopolize military power and obstruct even limited development projects that don’t serve its interests.
Netanyahu’s message, they said, targets all Arab regimes—whether moderate or defiant—as well as the people of the region. In Egypt, despite public rejection of the displacement plan, the ruling class remains paralyzed in the face of Israeli provocations.
The movement called for democratic forces in Egypt and beyond to revise their visions for the future, emphasizing the need for military independence and freedom from U.S.-led security arrangements.
National Security Concerns
Former Egyptian Foreign Minister and Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa warned that the escalating Israel-Iran war poses a direct threat to Egypt’s national security. He called for an urgent meeting of Egypt’s National Security Council, citing Article 205 of the Constitution. The risk, he said, is no longer regional but existential for Egypt and the entire Middle East.
Political analyst and former presidential adviser Mostafa El-Feki echoed the concern, labeling Israel a threat to all major Arab powers, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He stressed that American support for Israel remains unwavering, regardless of any temporary disagreements under Trump.
Espionage Fears in Sinai
Senator Fayez Abu Harb, head of Egypt’s Arab Tribes Committee, issued a grave warning about Israeli intelligence operations in Sinai. He claimed Israel has for over a decade gathered detailed data on life in the peninsula—including food prices and population movements—using sophisticated spy tools and local collaborators.
Abu Harb cautioned that even humanitarian convoys entering Sinai could be infiltrated by enemy agents posing as aid workers, potentially for reconnaissance or sabotage. He urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity, stressing that protecting the nation is a duty for all Egyptians.
Official Diplomatic Efforts
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty held separate talks on Tuesday with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Abdel Aaty reiterated Egypt’s call for de-escalation, ceasefire, and return to diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program, emphasizing there is no military solution to regional crises.
Cold Peace Turned Hot
Tensions between Egypt and Israel have deepened since May 7, 2024, when Israel reoccupied the strategic Philadelphia Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border—violating the 1979 Camp David Accords. The corridor, central to ongoing ceasefire talks, is just 14 kilometers long but remains a red line for Egypt.
Camp David defines strict military limits across Sinai: Egypt may only deploy full troops in Zone A near the Suez, limited forces in Zone B, and police only in Zone C along Gaza. Israel, in turn, may deploy just 4,000 troops without armor near the border. The reoccupation of the corridor is seen as a breach of this treaty.
Israel also recently demanded the dismantling of Egyptian military infrastructure in Sinai used for counterterrorism—another point of serious contention.
The Bigger Picture
Israel’s massive military operation against Iran—backed by the U.S.—targets nuclear sites, missile bases, and top Iranian commanders. Iran has responded with drones and ballistic missiles.
In this escalating war, Egypt faces mounting pressure: diplomatically, militarily, and socially. As fears of Gaza displacement, treaty violations, and regional destabilization grow, Egyptians across the political spectrum are calling for unified action to defend national sovereignty and prevent catastrophe.
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