Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that Egypt’s growing military power has become a strategic concern for Israel, signaling a shift in how Jerusalem views its southern neighbor.
At a closed-door meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on February 5, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the Egyptian army is undergoing significant military strengthening and that Israel must closely monitor developments to prevent an “excessive buildup.” While acknowledging ongoing shared interests and diplomatic ties with Egypt, Netanyahu stressed that quiet cooperation does not eliminate the need for vigilance.
WHY THE WARNING NOW?
The unusually blunt tone reflects a convergence of long-term trends that have matured into an open strategic concern:
