Something just isn’t right with Egypt. The situation is starting to smell bad. Like that one piece of leftover fish from Friday night that’s been sitting in the fridge until Wednesday—something’s off.
Israel entered U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan with Egypt as its most significant partner, given their shared border with Gaza. But weeks later, there are troubling signs that something has shifted. To understand this, I decided to take a more biblical view of what may be unfolding.
According to our sages, Egypt betrays its peace pact with Israel at the end of days, forming a coordinated attack on her borders. The Talmud (Sotah) states that God will allow Egypt’s actions of betrayal to play out fully before exacting judgment.
The text even uses the term “Sassah,” referring to the Egyptian leader—eerily reminiscent of today’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. It says he will launch one final attack on Israel, the third in a series dating back to Pharaoh 3,330 years ago—and that Israel will ultimately emerge victorious.
If this refers to our times, when might it happen? The Talmud indicates it will occur toward the end of the ruler’s reign in Egypt. Sisi’s presidency began in 2014 and was meant to end years ago, yet he changed the law to remain in power until 2030. While signing new energy and infrastructure deals with Israel, Sisi has simultaneously been building up his army.
This buildup—coupled with Egypt’s participation in the proposed international stabilization force meant to occupy Gaza for at least two years—is cause for concern. Reports indicate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet was not even informed of the U.S.-backed U.N. Security Council resolution outlining such a deployment. If approved, it would mean Egyptian boots on the ground in Gaza.
Sisi, a former general, appears frustrated by the military restrictions imposed by the 1979 Camp David Accords. Forty-six years later, Egypt’s army on Israel’s southern border is stronger than ever. Over 200 kilometers of the border have reportedly been declared a restricted military no-fly zone for the first time since the Yom Kippur War—ostensibly to stop drones, but possibly for other reasons.
Recently, I had the privilege of hearing former U.S. presidential candidate and congresswoman Michele Bachmann speak about this very issue. She was unapologetic and powerful—much like my friend, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, another strong Evangelical Christian and supporter of Israel. In a recent interview, Huckabee compared Hamas to the biblical Amalekites, saying they must be completely eradicated.
The Talmud also offers a striking revelation: present-day Egyptians are direct descendants of those from the Exodus—not, as many assume, replaced by later populations. By contrast, the so-called Palestinians have no historic link to the biblical Philistines, who were virtually extinct by King David’s time.
Facts on the ground support growing Israeli concern. Egypt’s current deployments and military infrastructure far exceed what’s permitted under the peace treaty’s security annex. Intelligence reports from multiple open sources—including the CIA Reading Room, Defense Security Asia, and JISS—detail the purchase and placement of Chinese-made HQ-9B air defense systems at El-Arish near Rafah, new bases, and expanded troop movements.
Egypt claims it’s fighting ISIS in Sinai, but Israel and the U.S. have quietly expressed alarm at the scale of the buildup. Sisi himself reportedly fears Israel might one day pursue Hamas operatives inside Egyptian territory.
Still, I believe Israel remains safe—especially with Trump back in office. Though a master negotiator, Trump has proven a loyal ally, as has Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I recall Netanyahu once being asked at an economic forum how he’d like to be remembered. His reply was unforgettable: “As the protector of Israel.”
Yet troubling trends are emerging across the Western world. Figures such as New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, speak of opposing antisemitism while supporting policies that pressure Jews to renounce Zionism and, by extension, their faith. Such moral duplicity reflects a wider decay of values in Western democracies.
But amid these challenges, Israel’s soul is awakening. Secular soldiers are embracing Shabbat and exploring their heritage. Channel 14’s rising ratings show Israelis are searching for meaning and truth. This spiritual revival may be the nation’s strongest defense.
Whatever Egypt’s next move, Israel’s resilience—rooted in faith, history, and divine promise—will prevail. The fight for the Jewish homeland has always been both physical and spiritual. The deeper the connection to the Land of Israel and its covenantal purpose, the stronger the nation will stand against any threat—be it from Egypt, Hamas, or beyond.
