Egyptians react to 'accidental' Israeli fire on Sinai post

Egyptians have questioned whether Israel's firing at an Egyptian position near the Kerem Shalom border, injuring nine Egyptian soldiers and destroying a watchtower, was "accidental".

Social media users expressed skepticism about the Israeli apology and criticised Egypt's calm response. The incident occurred after Israel bombed the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt four times in recent days.

Many shared a video of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi giving a stern warning, appearing to be directed to Israel, about his willingness to protect Egypt.

"I swear to God, whoever comes near to her [Egypt], I will remove him from the face of the earth,” Sisi says in the clip from 2016.

Some Twitter users mocked the remarks as "reassuring".

كلمة مطمئنة للرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي في 2016..
قسمًا بالله اللي هيقربلها هشيله من فوق وش الأرض pic.twitter.com/jt379cdQ4O

— Ahmed Gamal Ziada أحمد جمال زيادة (@AGamalZiada) October 22, 2023

"The entry of Palestinians to Sinai means war, striking an Egyptian post with a tank - don't worry about it," remarked one X user, comparing Egypt's reaction to its firmer stance on the forced transfer of Palestinians to the Sinai.

Actor Amr Waked joked: "They hit us, but they told him: by God, by God, by God, we are sorry!"

ضربونا بس قالوله والله والله والله آسفين.

— Amr Waked (@amrwaked) October 22, 2023

Others, meanwhile, demanded their country respond more firmly.

"Conferences and timid denunciations and condemnations of the enemy are no longer effective. O rulers, declare a boycott in order to preserve Arab dignity, otherwise the dignity of all Arab countries will be violated," said Egyptian academic Yahia El-Kazzaz.

"Why did an Israeli tank direct its artillery towards the Egyptian border in the first place? 2 - What target did it target in an open desert and hit the Egyptian position by mistake?"