A war of words has erupted between Egypt and "Israel" after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Cairo of “imprisoning against their will residents in Gaza who want to leave a war zone.”

In an interview for the Abu Ali Express channel, Netanyahu said he would allow Gaza residents to leave through the Rafah Crossing, but “they would be blocked by Egypt.”

His comments drew sharp condemnation from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, which dismissed them as part of Netanyahu’s ongoing efforts to deflect blame for Israeli atrocities in Gaza.

“These statements are part of his continuous attempts to prolong the period of escalation in the region and entrench instability to avoid confronting the consequences of Israeli violations in Gaza, both internally and externally,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Egypt: ‘Displacement not an option’

Speaking earlier Friday in Nicosia, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty declared that Egypt would not allow Palestinian displacement through Rafah under any circumstances.

“Displacement is not an option and it is a red line for Egypt and we will not allow it to happen."

"Displacement means liquidation and the end of the Palestinian cause. There is no legal, moral, or ethical ground to evict people from their homeland,” Abdelatty added, reiterating Egypt’s accusation that "Israel" is committing genocide in Gaza, a charge "Israel" denies.

Border tensions

In its formal statement, Egypt emphasized that it would never be “a part of injustice” by facilitating Palestinian expulsion. “This remains an unchangeable red line.”

The Ministry accused "Israel" of deliberately targeting civilians, infrastructure, and essential services in Gaza to force Palestinians to leave, calling these actions "ethnic cleansing" and "violations of international humanitarian law."

Egypt urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to hold the occupation accountable and ensure protection for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including the eastern part of occupied al-Quds.

Cairo also reiterated its calls for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Strip, and international support to restore the Palestinian Authority’s administration in Gaza and backed the creation of Palestinian statehood, calling it the only solution to the war.