Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has firmly rejected any notion of Palestinian displacement and warned against provocative narratives promoting the idea of a “Greater Israel,” as the region faces renewed turmoil following an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza and controversial statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking during a press briefing with senior editors of Egyptian newspapers and online platforms on Tuesday, Madbouly stressed that Egypt is closely monitoring what he described as “dangerous and destabilizing rhetoric” surrounding the concept of a Greater Israel. He confirmed that Egyptian authorities are studying these developments and preparing multi-tiered response strategies.
“What is being circulated about ‘Greater Israel’ is under thorough observation and analysis,” Madbouly stated. “We are preparing various countermeasures to confront the implications of such ideas. Under no circumstances will Egypt allow the displacement of Palestinians or the liquidation of the Palestinian cause.”
The remarks came just hours after Israel launched a long-anticipated ground assault on Gaza City before dawn, accompanied by intense aerial bombardments. The offensive, widely seen as a turning point in the conflict, aims to retake control of the city, which is home to over 1.2 million residents. Regional leaders have described the assault as a campaign of ethnic cleansing, coinciding with growing fears over Israel’s long-term strategic intentions.
The Egyptian government, Madbouly confirmed, has activated contingency plans to mitigate potential fallout from the crisis. “All state institutions and ministries are preparing for multiple scenarios. Emergency plans are in place for the Ministries of Health, Supply, and others to ensure the basic needs of our Palestinian brothers are met should the situation deteriorate further.”
Madbouly also addressed the broader economic implications of the escalating conflict. “Foreign investment is always sensitive to regional instability, even when domestic conditions are secure,” he noted, adding that Egypt’s current economic strategy already incorporates conservative and pessimistic scenarios to navigate external shocks, including rising energy prices and geopolitical tensions.
“We believe that the continuation of current economic reforms will ultimately lead to a stronger, more stable Egyptian economy within the next two to three years, despite global pressures,” he said.
Netanyahu’s Controversial Remarks Fuel Concern
Regional anxieties were heightened following a recent interview Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave to Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS in August 2025. During the interview, Netanyahu was presented with an amulet depicting a map of the biblical “Promised Land.” When asked if he felt personally connected to the concept of Greater Israel, he replied, “Very much,” and described himself as being on a “historic and spiritual mission.”
Pressed further, Netanyahu implied that in his view, Israelis already “are here,” alluding to a territorial claim extending beyond internationally recognized borders. Though he stopped short of announcing specific policy actions, his remarks were widely interpreted as a tacit endorsement of expansionist ideologies.
The concept of “Greater Israel” remains controversial and ambiguously defined. In modern political discourse, it typically refers to an expansionist vision that includes not only Israel’s recognized territory but also the occupied West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. In more extreme interpretations, it even encompasses parts of neighboring states, based on religious or historical claims rooted in certain Zionist traditions.
While some view Netanyahu’s remarks as symbolic or spiritual in nature, others are alarmed by their potential implications. Analysts point to his history of supporting settlement expansions and his repeated rejections of a two-state solution as evidence that rhetoric may translate into policy.
“There is a longstanding concern that these statements are not merely rhetorical,” said one Middle East analyst. “When a sitting prime minister aligns himself with the notion of Greater Israel, it reverberates across the region and raises real questions about future territorial ambitions.”
Regional Backlash and Diplomatic Fallout
The response from Arab states has been swift and uncompromising. Egypt has formally requested clarification from the Israeli government, while Jordan issued a sharp condemnation, warning that such ideology threatens the sovereignty of neighboring countries and violates international law.
Islamic organizations and international human rights groups have also criticized the remarks, warning that they add fuel to an already volatile situation. The concept of Greater Israel, many argue, undermines prospects for a peaceful resolution and legitimizes continued occupation and settlement activity.
The situation escalated further following an Israeli airstrike in Doha on September 9, which reportedly targeted a residential building housing senior Hamas negotiators involved in ongoing ceasefire talks. The attack, occurring just days before the Emergency Arab-Islamic summit convened in the Qatari capital, was widely condemned as a violation of diplomatic norms and an act of provocation.
At the Doha summit, Arab and Islamic leaders renewed calls for international pressure on Israel to cease its military campaign in Gaza and halt settlement expansions. The summit also underscored a unified regional stance against any plans that could lead to the forced displacement of Palestinians or the redrawing of borders under expansionist doctrines.
A Broader Crisis in the Making?
As the war in Gaza intensifies and political rhetoric grows more charged, Egypt finds itself on high alert. The country shares a border with Gaza and has long played a key mediating role in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. However, recent developments have put Egypt in a precarious position, balancing its national security interests, humanitarian responsibilities, and regional leadership aspirations.
“What is happening in Gaza is not an isolated event,” Madbouly warned. “It reflects a broader strategy that could affect the entire region. We are prepared, but we are also calling on the international community to take its responsibilities seriously and act before the situation spirals further out of control.”
As the conflict deepens, observers are watching closely to see whether Netanyahu’s statements mark a shift in Israeli policy or whether they remain aspirational rhetoric aimed at bolstering his domestic political standing. Either way, the implications are profound and potentially far-reaching for a region already teetering on the edge of another prolonged crisis.
