The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has expressed concern over Israel’s plan to militarily take control of Gaza City.

The warning follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Gaza Division on Thursday, where he approved plans to defeat Hamas while negotiating the release of hostages under terms acceptable to Israel.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry emphasized that “Cairo views with great concern the Israeli government’s progress toward implementing a plan to further occupy the Gaza Strip, which would establish an illegal occupation in serious violation of international and humanitarian law.”

According to Egypt, Israel’s actions reflect a blatant disregard for mediation efforts, a proposed ceasefire deal, the release of Israeli hostages, and international demands to end the war.

In recent months, Egypt has strongly opposed the establishment of a humanitarian city in Rafah to house displaced people from Gaza, as well as Israel’s continued military control over the Philadelphi Corridor.

Iran’s Defense Minister, Aziz Nassirzadeh, declared on Wednesday that Tehran has developed more advanced missiles and is prepared for any future Israeli attack, France 24 reported. The announcement comes just weeks after a 12-day war between the two nations ended in a ceasefire.

Speaking to state media, Nassirzadeh warned, “The missiles used in the 12-day war were manufactured… a few years ago.”

He added, “Today, we have manufactured and possess missiles with far greater capabilities than previous missiles, and if the Zionist enemy embarks on the adventure again, we will undoubtedly use them.”

The hostilities began after Israel launched a surprise offensive on June 13, striking military and nuclear facilities across Iran.

On June 22, the US conducted airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. A US-brokered ceasefire was announced two days later, bringing an end to the 12-day aerial conflict.

Since the cessation of hostilities, Iranian officials have been vocal about the potential for renewed conflict.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated on Monday, “We are not even in a ceasefire; we are in a cessation of hostilities.” He called on Iran to be “prepared at every moment for confrontation.”

A day earlier, senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Yahya Rahim Safavi warned that another war with Israel or the United States remains likely, dismissing the current ceasefire as merely a temporary pause in a broader ongoing conflict.

“We are not in a ceasefire, we are in a stage of war. No protocol, regulation, or agreement has been written between us and the US or Israel,” Safavi said, adding, “I think another war may happen, and after that, there may be no more wars.”

The new threats come as Iranian media reports that the army is set to begin a two-day military exercise on Thursday, which will feature a range of short and medium-range cruise missiles.