The question circulating across the Egyptian street today is: what will Israel’s next front be after Iran?
This question has become both natural and legitimate in light of statements made by the United States ambassador to the Israeli entity, Mike Huckabee, regarding what he described as Israel’s right to occupy several neighbouring countries. According to maps that have been circulated, the claim extends to territories that amount to nearly one third of Egyptian land.
These remarks have been accompanied by multiple statements from Israeli officers and rabbis who identify Egypt as a potential future front in confrontation with the Israeli entity. Others have invoked biblical texts and religious interpretations to support such claims.
American Surveillance Near Egyptian Territory
Amid the ongoing confrontation between the Israeli entity, supported by the United States and several Western countries on one side, and Iran on the other, reports have emerged of American reconnaissance activity near Egyptian territory.
Data from the aviation monitoring platform FlightRadar24 revealed that a Boeing P 8A surveillance aircraft conducted a monitoring mission on Thursday off Egypt’s eastern coastline, specifically near the governorates of Port Said and North Sinai.
The mission lasted nearly four hours before the aircraft returned to the Sigonella Air Base in Italy. It represents the third American reconnaissance activity recorded near the Sinai Peninsula within three consecutive days, coinciding with developments in the joint war being waged alongside the Israeli occupation against Iran.
Egyptian Military Preparedness
The American reconnaissance activity may be connected to reports circulating about raising the readiness level within the Egyptian armed forces, including the mobilisation of reserve soldiers.
Such measures are typically implemented whenever regional crises occur near Egyptian borders or geographic interests. However, the current situation appears far more serious than previous regional tensions, particularly as the scope of confrontations continues to expand day by day.
Over recent years, Egypt has significantly strengthened its military capabilities, particularly in the air and naval domains, in anticipation of potential regional developments.
Warnings About Control of Strategic Waterways
In this context, attention has also turned to recent remarks made by Major General Ahmed Wasfi, former commander of Egypt’s Second Field Army and former head of training within the Egyptian armed forces.
Wasfi stated that the broader objective of the United States in the ongoing conflict is to gain control of critical maritime chokepoints across the world, including the Tiran and Sanafir Straits near Sharm El Sheikh in South Sinai, as well as the Suez Canal, which represents one of the most vital arteries of global trade.
According to Wasfi, the American strategy ultimately seeks to place these strategic waterways under the control of the Israeli entity, positioning it as a regional security authority as part of a broader project to reshape the Middle East.
He called on Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey to unite with Pakistan, warning that the alternative would be political fragmentation.
Statements About Reshaping the Middle East
These concerns appear to align with recent remarks by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who told the American network CBS that changing the regime in Iran is not necessarily the goal of the war, but rather changing the Middle East as a whole.
Similar statements have previously been made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly since the beginning of the war of destruction against the Gaza Strip in October 2023. Members of his government have repeated similar messages.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump has publicly complained that the geographical size of the Israeli entity is too small and should expand significantly.
In another controversial statement, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth reportedly described the war against Iran as a religious conflict, referring to it as a war of Jesus and linking it to what he described as the battle of Armageddon. He went further by referencing proposals involving the demolition of Al Aqsa Mosque in relation to what some call the Temple Mount.
Public Concerns Inside Egypt
Under such circumstances, it is natural for Egypt to treat current developments with seriousness, reflecting the concerns widely felt among the public.
However, a key question raised by Egyptian citizens nationwide is the Egyptian army’s readiness for a potential future war, particularly amid rapid technological transformations reshaping modern warfare.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently warned that any state considering confrontation with major powers such as Israel or the United States must first complete its full preparedness in areas including intelligence and advanced defence.
He highlighted the importance of cyber intelligence, electronic intelligence, preventive intelligence, aerial surveillance, imaging intelligence, signal intelligence, space based intelligence, and advanced air defence systems, as well as radar and electronic jamming capabilities. He also warned about the risks of phone infiltration and the tracking of leadership locations.
Egypt’s Historical Position Toward Israel
Egypt’s official and popular doctrine toward the Israeli entity has long held that confrontation with Israel remains inevitable.
Former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, despite signing the peace agreement with Israel, stated that the October War of 1973 would not be the final war due to Israeli ambitions.
Former president Hosni Mubarak similarly remarked that Israeli ambitions had no limits.
This perception has made popular normalisation with Israel extremely difficult, if not impossible, despite formal diplomatic relations.
Evidence of this sentiment can be seen in the strong public support among Egyptians for Iran in the current conflict, despite media campaigns by supporters of the Israeli entity and the United States promoting Israeli military dominance. At the same time, some sectarian voices have attempted to fuel division through extremist rhetoric.
Political and Public Tensions
Among the issues that continue to trouble Egyptian public opinion are reports that Israelis have been allowed to escape the bombardment by travelling to resorts in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
Other controversial matters include the 35 billion dollar agreement to import gas from Israel, the ongoing trade exchanges between the two sides, the existence of embassies and various forms of security coordination along the borders.
Many Egyptians argue that such arrangements do not reflect the views of the broader public and instead place political leadership in a difficult position, particularly in light of the Israeli aggression against Gaza, Lebanon, Iran and other regional developments.
Observers suggest that public anger could quickly escalate if tensions continue to grow, potentially leading to widespread protests.
Such developments may also influence internal political debates, including discussions reportedly taking place behind closed doors about possible constitutional amendments that would allow the president to remain in office indefinitely. Some legal figures have already begun promoting calls to amend the constitution, claiming that the current charter merely serves as a revision of the 2012 constitution drafted during the period of Muslim Brotherhood rule.
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