Hamas leader tells Egyptians: "Rise Up and Storm the Israeli Border"

Tensions are simmering in Egypt following remarks by Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas leader, who recently urged Egyptians to rise up against their government and breach the Israeli border to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Al-Hayya, a key figure in Hamas’s political bureau and a lead negotiator in ceasefire talks, made these comments on Sunday, July 27, addressing the Egyptian people, military, tribes, and religious scholars. He questioned why Gazans were dying of hunger near Egypt’s border, implicitly criticizing Cairo’s handling of the Rafah crossing and its mediation role in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The statement has ignited a firestorm, with outrage reportedly spreading across Egypt, though the full extent remains unclear due to limited independent reporting amid the country’s tight media controls. Some Egyptians have expressed anger at their government for allegedly prioritizing relations with Israel over aiding Gaza, while others view al-Hayya’s call as a provocative overreach from a leader based safely abroad. Saudi journalist Abdul Aziz Al Khamis, for instance, labeled it a “hypocritical and desperate political stunt,” reflecting skepticism about Hamas’s motives.

Egyptian officials have not issued an official response, but unofficial sources quoted by Saudi media outlet Asharq al-Awsat expressed astonishment, emphasizing Cairo’s long-standing support for Palestinians and its efforts to deliver aid despite challenges. Egypt has consistently maintained that the Rafah crossing, a critical lifeline for Gaza, is influenced by Israeli control and security dynamics, not solely Egyptian policy. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has repeatedly framed any displacement of Palestinians into Sinai as a “red line,” citing national security and the risk of ethnic cleansing, a stance echoed by the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees.

The call to storm the Israeli border has raised alarms, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz recently ordering the military to block any such attempts, expecting Egypt to prevent provocations. Historical context fuels the tension: Egypt’s 1979 peace treaty with Israel and its mediation role have long balanced security cooperation with public sympathy for Palestinians. However, al-Hayya’s remarks challenge this delicate equilibrium, potentially straining Egypt-Israel relations further, especially after Israel’s recent control of the Philadelphi Corridor.

Domestically, the Egyptian government faces a tightrope. Public outrage over Gaza, coupled with economic hardships, could embolden protests, though Sisi’s regime has a track record of cracking down on dissent, as seen with the detention of 186 activists since the war began. Some analysts suggest al-Hayya’s statement might be a tactical move to pressure Egypt into concessions during ceasefire negotiations, where Hamas demands Israeli withdrawal from border areas—a demand Egypt supports but Israel resists.

He also urged Jordanians to take action similar to his call to Egyptians. In a video address on Sunday, al-Hayya addressed the people of Jordan, expressing hope that they would continue their "popular uprising" to support Palestinians, stop what he described as genocide and displacement, and prevent the imposition of an alternative homeland.

According to leading news channel Open Source Intel, "In Jordan, Khalil al-Hayya’s latest remarks have sparked sharp backlash, after the Hamas leader urged Jordanians to “head toward Palestine by sea and land.” Many in the kingdom see his call as blatant interference in Jordan’s internal affairs, fueling anger across political and media circles.

Egyptian journalist Hind Al-Dawawi didn’t hold back in a scathing takedown of Al-Hayya, whose recent provocative speech from the safety of Doha drew her ire. In a post shared by Israeli journalist Roi Kais, Al-Dawawi essentially told Al-Hayya to put his money where his mouth is: “Come on, Khalil, hop on over to the Rafah crossing with the aid. Sacrifice your life and soul for Gaza and its people, instead of preaching from Doha so Gazans don’t think your life’s worth more than theirs, which are being squandered for the cause. Do something useful, Doctor, instead of stirring the pot in murky waters.”