Egyptian TV host Ahmed Moussa issues harsh message against Israel

Egyptian TV host Ahmed Moussa issued a stern message to Israel, warning that any recklessness or attempt to infringe upon Egypt’s territory could lead to a “lesson greater than 1973,” as he warned. Speaking on his program “Ala Mas’ouleety” (On My Responsibility) on Monday, Moussa said that Egypt would not tolerate any violation of its territory or encroachment upon Sinai. He stressed that the Egyptian state currently possesses the strength to safeguard its national security, despite surrounding pressures and challenges. Commenting on remarks made by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich regarding Egypt and Sinai, Moussa said: “If the Zionist entity acts recklessly, it will spell its own end; the ambitions of tyrants shatter at Egypt’s doorstep.” Smotrich on Monday warned: “There will be no Sinai if Egypt moves to attack Israel.” “What would keep Egypt from attacking us? The realization that if they attack, there will be no Sinai—at the very least. No, that will not happen again.” In response, Moussa stressed: “All 120 million Egyptians would die defending Egypt, and Israel would pay a heavy price if it took any step threatening Egyptian national security.” He asserted that neither Smotrich, nor his country, nor any other nation on earth would be able to come anywhere near even a single inch of Sinai. Remembering 1973 During the episode, Moussa recalled key moments from the October 1973 War—including the capture of Israeli soldiers by Egyptian forces—while discussing Egypt’s military capabilities and the message of deterrence that he believes remains relevant today. Moussa assured that Egypt does not seek war, stating, “What happened then will never be repeated, for we are advocates of peace.” At the same time, however, he stressed that peace does not mean abandoning the protection of Egyptian territory or national security. Moussa’s statements follow warnings he had previously issued over the past few months against testing Egypt’s military capabilities. In June, he warned Israel not to put Egypt to the test, emphasizing that the Egyptian Armed Forces are continuously enhancing their capabilities and are fully capable of safeguarding national security and the country’s borders. Egypt and Israel are bound by a 1979 peace treaty that ended the state of war between the two nations and established security and military arrangements in Sinai and along the border areas. Cairo officially affirms its commitment to peace while simultaneously emphasizing the protection of its sovereignty and national security.