Tensions between Egypt and Israel have reportedly reached a boiling point, with senior Egyptian officials issuing a stern warning to their Israeli counterparts. According to reports, Egypt has uncovered alleged plots by Israel to assassinate Hamas leaders residing in Cairo and has made it unequivocally clear that any such act on its soil would be considered a “declaration of war.”

This dramatic escalation follows a recent Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, that targeted the Hamas political leadership. In the wake of that attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that Israel would target Hamas anywhere.This has put neighboring countries, especially those involved in mediation efforts, on high alert.

Senior Egyptian security sources have reportedly informed news outlets that “intelligence reports suggest that Israel has been plotting to assassinate Hamas leaders in Cairo for some time.”They even claimed that Egypt had previously foiled an assassination attempt during ceasefire negotiations in the city over the last two years.

The Egyptian message to Israel was reportedly delivered without ambiguity: “Any attempt on the lives of Hamas leaders on Egyptian soil would be considered by Egypt as a violation of its sovereignty and, accordingly, a declaration of war by Israel, which we would not hesitate to retaliate against.

For decades, Egypt has played a crucial, if sometimes strained, role as a mediator between Israel and Palestinian factions, including Hamas This recent development threatens to shatter that delicate balance. According to one security analyst, any Israeli strike in Cairo would be seen as a “humiliation” that would undermine Egypt’s prestige and its ability to act as a credible negotiator in the region.

While it is not officially declared that high-level Hamas figures reside in Egypt, sources suggest that several members have lived in the country for years. Their identities and locations remain undisclosed for security reasons.

The relationship between Egypt and Israel, often described as a “cold peace,” has become increasingly tense in recent months amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and stalled ceasefire talks.Cairo has been wary of any potential spillover from the conflict, including the displacement of Palestinians into its Sinai Peninsula, and has reportedly deployed tens of thousands of troops to its border with Gaza.

In response to the strike in Doha and the subsequent threats, Egypt has reportedly scaled back security coordination with Israel. Cairo has urged its Israeli counterparts to return to the negotiating table for a Gaza truce rather than risk escalating the conflict into a wider regional war.

This stern warning from Cairo signifies a perilous new phase in the region’s complex dynamics. As a key player in Middle Eastern diplomacy, Egypt’s firm stance underscores the potentially devastating consequences if the conflict were to spill across its borders.

Read More: A Declaration of War: Egypt’s Stark Warning to Israel Over Alleged Assassination Plots