An official Egyptian source spoke to the Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat about the joint military exercise between Egypt, Russia, and China, saying that these exercises are held periodically, were planned long ago, and are not related to the tensions between Israel and Egypt about the war in Gaza.

The source said that the purpose of the exercises is to increase the capabilities of the Egyptian army and maintain its strength to maintain Egypt’s national security, and not to pose a threat to anyone.

However, he stressed that “of course, anyone who is concerned will understand the message conveyed by the exercises.” He added that the exercises are conducted openly, and “any friendly or enemy entity, as well as potential enemy, will receive the messages according to their intentions or what they think about Egypt.”

Recently, Egyptian parliament member Mostafa Bakry, who is close to the government and a media personality, attacked Israel, writing on X that the Israeli claims that Egypt violated the peace agreement are false claims and an attempt to cover up the internal failure of the Israeli government.

Bakry mentioned Defense Minister Yisrael Katz’s statement that the United States should intervene and ask Egypt to withdraw it forces from the Sinai: “We are facing a plan targeting the Egyptian army and its arms. They (the Israelis) forget the power of this army and the people behind it. This army protects the national security of the homeland. It is a respectable national army that does not know what defeat is and does not accept dictates.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)