Response from the Egyptian Minister of Transport to the Israeli media's Sinai railway claims

In a television program he attended, Egyptian Minister of Transport Kamil al-Wazir made statements about the railway project being built in Sinai and connecting the region to the rest of the country.

'WHAT IS WORRYING ABOUT THIS?'

While the 500-kilometer large railway project built by Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula attracts attention in the Israeli media, news on the subject questions whether this infrastructure can also serve military purposes.

Referring to the Israeli media's news about the railway project, Minister Vezir said, "What is worrying about this? We are developing the region. Is the train firing bullets? No. It carries goods and people. This is a development corridor."

Emphasizing that Sinai is Egyptian territory and that his country has the right to develop the region, Vezir said that the Arish-Taba railway aims to develop Sinai and reconnect the region with the rest of Egypt.

Vizier stated that the line will connect the Port of Arish in the Mediterranean with the Port of Taba in the Gulf of Aqaba, thus supporting cargo transportation and economic activities across Sinai.

'IT DOES NOT MEAN PREPARATION FOR ATTACK'

Evaluating the news in the Israeli media about the strategic importance of the line, Vezir stated that Egypt has the right to develop its own lands and that this railway project does not mean preparation for an attack.

Pointing out that the railway line can carry goods from India and China via the Gulf countries, as well as products from Arab countries, Vezir explained that the cargo passing through Aqaba can enter Egypt via Taba and will create a new logistics corridor by moving north towards Arish.

News was shared in the Israeli media that the 500-kilometer railway project planned to be built has the capacity to quickly transport supplies and equipment across the Sinai in case of a crisis between the two countries.

'35 BILLION EGYPTIAN POUNDS ARE ALLOCATED'

The project also includes the expansion of Ariş Port, which Vezir inspected last month, and the construction of a 12-kilometer railway connection to the port.

According to the Ministry of Planning, Egypt has allocated approximately 35 billion Egyptian pounds from public investments for North and South Sinai within the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

The Sinai development program allocated 25 billion Egyptian pounds for North Sinai and 10 billion Egyptian pounds for South Sinai.