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In recent weeks, every time Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi speaks to a large audience in his country, whether in the presence of Arab leaders or when cameras are directed at him, knowing that his words will reach Washington, Jerusalem, Arab capitals and Europe, he repeatedly emphasizes that peace is a strategic asset and choice.
Egypt has significantly increased the number of soldiers and military police in Sinai and has also purchased large quantities of weapons, ammunition, submarines and helicopters from the United States, Italy and France. It employs its official spokespeople and news anchors to clarify that "we have no intentions of war, but we are prepared." And the reason for this military buildup? "Egypt," Sisi would explain, "must demonstrate strong military capabilities."
The 1979 peace agreement stipulates that Sinai would host 22,000 soldiers and officers across four brigades. The "adjustments" to Egypt's military presence in Sinai have more than doubled this number, with Israel's consent. Israel has also sent helicopters and support forces to assist in combating Palestinian terrorist organizations and large ISIS units that have carried out terror attacks against the Egyptian army.
Since October 7, hundreds of tunnels from Gaza to Sinai have been sealed. Egypt has a vested interest in closing the smuggling routes used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad into its territory. Egyptian soldiers caught aiding or turning a blind eye to smuggling have faced military trials and received heavy sentences. The sealing of the tunnels was not done out of goodwill toward Israel. Flooding the tunnels with seawater was intended to block the launching of terror attacks into Egyptian territory. Hamas leadership in Gaza, as well as its envoys in Qatar and Turkey, are well aware of what "the Jew"—a derogatory nickname they have given Sisi—thinks of them.
So far, not a single official word of criticism has been voiced in Egypt against Qatar. The rivalry between the large, impoverished country and the tiny, wealthy emirate is evident. Egyptians have struggled to understand why Israel insists on making Qatar a mediator. "It will blow up in your face," senior officials in Cairo warned me.
Egypt is closely monitoring the Qatargate affair with great interest. They are letting Israel stew in its own juices without a single senior Egyptian official stepping forward to officially declare, "We told you so." Qatar has chosen to place its political weight on its Ministry of Information in Doha, claiming, "We are not harming Egypt," but no one believes them. The assumption is that Qatar is the one leaking information, possibly with the help of Israeli "advisors," and is using social media not only against Israel but also against Egypt.
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From the dozens of statements made in the past week, I focus on the words of Hazem Khairat, the former Egyptian ambassador, who clarified: "Israel knows very well that Egypt has no intention of going to war, but Egypt has every right to defend its national security. Israel would not dare to enter into a confrontation with the Egyptian army because the Egyptian army is strong and capable of withstanding any threat."
Smadar PerryPhoto: Yariv KatzPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should have spoken with Sisi, but now a phone call to the presidential palace in Cairo would seem forced. So what else is there? Well, there's a large team of Hebrew speakers in Cairo's Ministry of Information and Foreign Affairs, that is translating Israeli media reports on Qatargate for the leadership. From their side, not a single bad word will be heard, but also not a single good word—not about Israel and not about "our sister," the Emirate of Qatar.