CAIRO – 19 October 2025: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi criticized the idea that Egypt should interfere militarily in Gaza, warning that “on the day conflict breaks out, every hour sets the country back by months and years.”
“I’m talking about the hour, not the day, month, or year,” the president said as he delivered a speech to mark the 52nd anniversary of the October War during an annual Armed Forces’ symposium, held on Sunday.
He slammed the viewpoints that Egypt should go into war “with its 110 million people now, or slightly fewer, plus 10 million guests,” risking “the country’s resources, its future, and the future of its youth.”
The president stated that the war on terrorism over roughly 10 years since the 2011 events has cost the country around LE 100 billion in Armed Forces expenses, in addition to the fatalities among army and police personnel and civilians.
He also noted that the subsequent events between 2011 and 2014 had an estimated economic impact of around $450 billion.
Meanwhile, the president stressed that he was deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza, with people being killed and wounded, highlighting Egypt’s unwavering efforts to stop this and help those inside the enclave.
He slammed earlier assaults on Egyptian embassies abroad amid the Gaza war, saying the whole issue was based on “deceit and lies, but that’s politics.”
‘2011 Events, Risk of Civil War’
Reflecting on 2011, when millions ousted former President Hosni Mubarak, followed by political and popular turmoil, Sisi said the country narrowly avoided civil war.
“Anyone looking at what happened in 2011 would say it was impossible for the country to survive a civil war that could have completely destroyed it,” the president stressed.
“What happened in 2011 was a form of war very different from the October War or even the periods before it.”
Sisi highlighted the sacrifices made by the army, police and people to confront terrorism and deem the country safe, while many other countries have failed to make such achievement despite decades-long efforts.
“Every household today has either a martyr or someone wounded, with the mark of that wound still present. Egyptians paid the price so that, by Allah's grace, the country could survive, something that has not happened in many other countries.”
Advancing Egypt’s Economy
Amid tough economic conditions, Sisi praised the Egyptian people’s resilience, affirming that Egypt is in “a battle” to improve economy.
“War is not always fought with weapons… What we are engaged in now is a battle to change our economic reality and improve our conditions,” Sisi said.
“I have always relied on the people and believed in them. I say that people have both heart and mind. Even if the mind sees that circumstances are difficult and the economic situation is harsh, they have the heart to recognize that the state is making a serious effort to overcome these challenges.”
The president emphasized that “the challenge is enormous” and that “we must work diligently and give our utmost effort … with you the Egyptian people, bearing the burden.”
“With your support, we must overcome these difficult circumstances and improve our economy in a way that honors you and your children and grandchildren to come.”
Sun, Oct. 19, 2025
