Netanyahu Ignites Diplomatic Row, Accuses Egypt of ‘Imprisoning’ Gazans

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked a fresh diplomatic firestorm, publicly accusing Egypt of “imprisoning against their will residents in Gaza who want to leave a war zone.” The provocative statement, issued Friday by the Prime Minister’s Office, came in response to Cairo’s condemnation of Netanyahu’s earlier remarks suggesting Israel would allow Palestinians to exit Gaza via the Rafah Border Crossing, only for Egypt to block their passage.

Egypt’s foreign ministry swiftly expressed its “utmost condemnation” of Netanyahu’s comments made during a Thursday interview with the popular “Abu Ali Express” Telegram channel. Cairo denounced the remarks as an “attempt to prolong the escalation and instability” and an effort to “avoid confronting the consequences of Israeli violations in Gaza,” reiterating its firm stance against the mass displacement of Palestinians.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, speaking in Cyprus, declared that “displacement is not an option and it is a red line for Egypt,” asserting that such actions would mean “liquidation and the end of the Palestinian cause.” He further accused Israel of “genocide in motion,” citing “mass killing of civilians” and “artificial starvation.”

Netanyahu’s office countered, emphasizing the prime minister was “speaking about the free will of every single person in choosing where to live. That’s a basic human right at any time — especially wartime.” He questioned the silence of “human rights warriors” when it came to the “basic right to every Palestinian, to leave.”

Qatar, a key mediator in the region, also weighed in, condemning Netanyahu’s “desire to displace Palestinians” as an extension of occupation policies and a hindrance to peace efforts, including the two-state solution. Israel, for its part, continues to reject accusations of causing starvation or committing genocide, blaming Hamas for civilian casualties and aid diversion.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the Rafah crossing, which Egypt closed after Israel took control of the Gaza side last year, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Egypt has since bolstered its border defenses, fearing a mass influx of refugees, while Israel maintains its blockade is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling by Hamas.

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