Advanced Chinese Fighter Jets Fly Over Egypt Near Israeli Border; Cairo Warns Tel Aviv Against Tampering with Al-Aqsa

Israeli media outlets launched an attack on Egypt over the recent joint air drills between the Egyptian and Chinese air forces conducted in Egyptian airspace. Described as the first of their kind in the history of bilateral relations, the exercises raised concerns in Israel. According to Maariv newspaper, Chinese fighter jets approached the Israeli border—an act deemed “alarming,” especially amid escalating regional tensions due to the ongoing war in Gaza.

مناورات “نسور الحضارة 2025”.. تدريبات مصرية صينية تحاكي سيناريوهات قتال حقيقية#القاهرة_الإخبارية#مصر #الصين pic.twitter.com/f8pvVmSNIH

— القاهرة الإخبارية – AlQahera News (@Alqaheranewstv) April 20, 2025

Growing Israeli Concern Over Egyptian Military Movements

The Israeli press highlighted what it called “growing concern” in Tel Aviv regarding Egyptian military activities in the Sinai Peninsula. Reports mentioned a significant Egyptian troop buildup in the area, which some Israeli analysts saw as a “potential violation” of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty. Other outlets, including Kan 11 and Srugim, described the drills as a “troubling development” that could impact Israel’s regional security.

#المتحدث_العسكرى : إنطلاق فعاليات التدريب الجوى المصرى الصينى المشترك (نسور الحضارة- 2025) …

إنستجرام : https://t.co/qfvohvrEqV
ثريدز : https://t.co/Kvbj7gWZz1 pic.twitter.com/cUncQNyXtN

— المتحدث العسكري (@EgyArmySpox) April 19, 2025

Extensive Participation of Advanced Chinese Aircraft

A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the ongoing air exercises in Egypt marked the first-ever joint training of its kind between the two air forces. The drills included J-10C fighter jets, YU-20 refueling aircraft, and KJ-500 early warning planes, alongside dozens of other aircraft. A Chinese military expert told Global Times that these aircraft represent “the most advanced combat platforms in the Chinese Air Force.”

🇨🇳🇪🇬
🔴 ماتخشاه إسرائيل
أعلنت وزارة الدفاع الصينية أن الجيشين الصيني والمصري سيُجريان قريباً أول مناورة مشتركة بينهما في خطوة لتعزيز التعاون.

ومع إرسال القوات الجوية لجيش التحرير الشعبي الصيني قوات إلى مصر، صرّح خبير صيني بأن هذه المناورة قد تُمهّد الطريق لتعاون محتمل في مجال… pic.twitter.com/kcMf1zu9XI

— الصين بالعربية (@mog_china) April 16, 2025

Egypt Issues Firm Warning Over Israeli Provocations in Jerusalem

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned inciting calls by Israeli organizations to blow up Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

🛑 مصر تدين دعوات منظمات استيطانية إسرائيلية متطرفة لتفجيـ ـر المسجد الأقصى وقبة الصخرة pic.twitter.com/GjiMvknuFZ

— المصري اليوم (@AlMasryAlYoum) April 21, 2025

The ministry stressed the “sanctity of religious sites” in Jerusalem and warned of the potential repercussions on regional peace and stability, especially following the circulation of AI-generated videos depicting a fictional explosion of Al-Aqsa.