Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi responded to Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s remarks about the Sinai Peninsula, stressing that Egypt had fought a war to defend its territory and had reclaimed all of its land.

El-Sisi questioned whether some parties in “Israel” held unfounded notions or concerns that Egypt had regional ambitions toward it.

He emphasized that Egypt’s foremost priority was to safeguard its security and stability, protect its people’s interests, and preserve its resources.

The Egyptian president also emphasized that Cairo had no hidden agendas, underscoring that its focus remained on securing its borders and protecting its national security within a framework of peace and stability.

Smotrich threatens Egypt with occupation of Sinai if it attacks ‘Israel’

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has warned that Egypt could lose the Sinai Peninsula if it launches an attack against “Israel”, making the threat in a video interview recorded at his home last Monday.

Smotrich questioned what would deter Cairo from taking military action against “Israel”, answering that Egypt would have to understand that an attack could cost it Sinai.

“What would make Egypt not attack us? The understanding that if they attack us, there will be no Sinai at least,” he said, adding that such a scenario “will not happen again.”

The comments came a day before Egypt marks the anniversary of the 1973 war, which ultimately helped pave the way for the return of Sinai after years of Israeli occupation.

Egyptian army ready to defend its country: El-Sisi

Earlier on the same day, el-Sisi reaffirmed the readiness of Egypt’s armed forces to protect the country’s territory, resources, and national security.

The military, el-Sisi said, remained prepared to defend Egypt “at all times and under any circumstances.”

Egypt and “Israel” formally ended their state of war through a peace treaty signed in Washington, DC, in March 1979, following the Camp David Accords of 1978. The agreement provided for Israeli withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula and established the basis for diplomatic relations between the two parties.