Cairo warns Israel against seizing Egypt-Gaza Philadelphi Corridor

Egypt has warned Israel against any attempt to establish control on the border region between Egypt and Gaza - known as the Philadelphi Corridor - saying it would pose a "serious threat" to relations.

The remarks follow recent discussions by Israeli leaders about seizing the Philadelphi Corridor – a 14-kilometre route that runs along Gaza's southern border.

"It must be strictly emphasized that any Israeli move in this direction will lead to a serious threat to Egyptian-Israeli relations," Egyptian State Information Service chief Diaa Rashwan said in a statement.

Israel has alleged that weapons are being smuggled into Gaza from Egypt, charges that Rashwan dismissed as "allegations and lies".

“The conclusion is that these false allegations do not serve the [Israel-Egypt] peace treaty that Egypt respects, and it demands that the Israeli side to show its respect for it also, and to stop making statements that would strain bilateral relations in light of the current inflammatory conditions,” Rashwan said.

He added that Israel was attempting to cover up the failure to achieve its Gaza war objectives.

Israeli forces say they have imposed a punishing siege on the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, where intense battles between Palestinian groups and Israel's army are taking place.

The army's pounding of Khan Younis, which was previously designated as a "safe zone" for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fleeing the north, has pushed many civilians to escape to the smaller border city of Rafah.

This has raised fears in Cairo that Israel will attempt to expel the population to Egypt's Sinai desert.

Egypt has repeatedly pushed back at suggestions that it could facilitate the expulsion of Gazans by absorbing the territory's population with Israel planning to seize the coastal strip.

Israel controlled the Philadelphi Corridor or Route during its land occupation of Gaza, which ended in 2005.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in December the buffer zone "must be in our hands" to ensure Gaza's demilitarisation.

A recent proposal by Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for a high-tech "smart border" between Egypt and Gaza were reportedly dismissed by Egyptian officials.

Cairo has not made official statements on the matter.