Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has issued his strongest condemnation yet of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, labeling the actions as “genocide” and warning that history will judge world powers for their silence and complicity.
Speaking during a high-level regional summit in Cairo, Sisi said the scale of destruction and civilian loss in Gaza had surpassed military objectives and entered a moral and humanitarian crisis zone.
“What is happening in Gaza can no longer be described as a war against militants. It is the systematic killing of civilians a genocide. The world must call it what it is,” the Egyptian leader said.
His comments come amid escalating international scrutiny of Israel’s military operations, which have led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians many of them women and children since the conflict reignited.
Sisi, who has long played a balancing act between regional diplomacy and Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, appeared to take a firmer stance this time, calling on the United Nations, global leaders, and Arab states to move from statements to action.
“Nations that remain silent today will be remembered not for their neutrality, but for their failure to defend justice,” he added.
Egypt, which borders Gaza and controls the Rafah crossing, has been a key player in mediating ceasefires and delivering humanitarian aid. However, the growing humanitarian catastrophe has tested Cairo’s patience, with Sisi suggesting that mere diplomacy is no longer enough.
Political analysts believe Sisi’s statement could signal a shift in Egypt’s regional posture, especially as pressure mounts from both domestic voices and international observers who accuse Arab governments of inaction.
The Egyptian president also warned that if the international community fails to step in decisively, the conflict could spiral into broader regional instability.
As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise and diplomatic efforts remain stalled, Sisi’s bold accusation may mark a new phase in how Arab states publicly respond to Israel’s military operations and how history will remember those who stood by or stood up.
