Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Saturday criticized reports of a proposed Egyptian initiative to establish a joint Arab military force to counter Israeli attacks in Gaza, calling it a “severe blow” to longstanding peace agreements in the region.
In a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Lapid responded to unconfirmed reports of Egypt’s proposal, stating:
“The report about Egypt’s proposal to establish a joint Arab force to confront Israeli attacks represents a harsh blow to the peace accords. It comes directly after a severe blow to the Abraham Accords and follows the overwhelming support of Israel’s allies for the recognition of a Palestinian state.”
Lapid added that Israel’s current government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has significantly eroded the country’s international standing.
“This government has shaken our international position. The deadly combination of irresponsibility, incompetence, and arrogance is dismantling us in front of the world. We must replace it before it’s too late,” he said.
The former prime minister and centrist leader has been a consistent critic of Netanyahu’s handling of both the Gaza war and Israel’s global diplomacy. He has previously accused the current government of squandering critical international support, especially amid ongoing efforts to free Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
“This reality is a colossal failure both in terms of security and diplomacy,” Lapid said in earlier statements.
The reported Egyptian initiative has not been officially confirmed, but it comes amid rising frustration among Arab states over Israel’s continued military campaign in Gaza and the mounting civilian death toll. It also follows significant diplomatic setbacks for Israel, including increasing international recognition of Palestinian statehood and mounting criticism of its military tactics.
Should Egypt’s reported proposal move forward, it could place additional strain on Egypt-Israel relations historically anchored by the 1979 peace treaty and further isolate Israel regionally at a time of growing international scrutiny.
