Egypt's army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Ahmed Fathy Khalifa, made an unannounced visit to the Gaza border to inspect the security situation, a move perceived by some as an escalation against Israel. The visit follows Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's recent remarks asserting the need for Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor to prevent Hamas from rearming. Egypt condemned Netanyahu's statements as inflammatory and baseless, emphasizing that any Israeli presence in the corridor violates their 1978 peace accord. Egyptian officials accused Netanyahu of distracting the public and shifting blame for his failures. Despite the tension, Egypt maintains that it has effectively managed smuggling issues along the border. The surprise visit underscores Egypt's commitment to securing its borders amidst growing regional tensions.