{
  "id": 11183889,
  "title": "Egypt thwarts Israel’s plans to build Suez Canal alternative: Deputy Prime Minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/egypt-thwarts-israels-plans-to-build-suez-canal-alternative-deputy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T11:46:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Egypt Independent",
    "slug": "egypt-independent",
    "url": "https://www.egyptindependent.com/egypt-thwarts-israels-plans-to-build-suez-canal-alternative-deputy-prime-minister/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel al-Wazir, discussed reports of an Israeli plan to create an alternative waterway to the Suez Canal, often called the “Ben Gurion Canal.” Speaking on the Kalam Fi al-Siasa (Talks in Politics) program on Extra News, Al-Wazir stated that Egypt closely monitored and counteracted any potential alternative maritime or land transport routes aimed at bypassing or undermining the Suez Canal. He addressed rumors about various alternative projects, including the Ben Gurion Canal linking the Gulf of Aqaba to the Mediterranean and railway projects connecting the Arabian Gulf to Haifa or Israeli and Jordanian ports. Al-Wazir explained that Egypt had conducted thorough technical and economic feasibility studies on each proposed alternative, concluding that none of these canals or rail corridors had the necessary geography, operation, or economics to replace or match the Suez Canal’s efficiency. Strengthening the Suez Canal’s position The minister stressed that Egypt’s strategy was not only based on its natural advantage but also involved proactive steps to ensure the Suez Canal’s dominance in global trade. He detailed expanding the canal’s capacity through the New Suez Canal project, which doubled its operational capacity, cut transit times, and allowed larger container ships. Egypt also developed an integrated logistics network, creating high-speed railways, modern highways, and dry ports connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. Major investments were made to upgrade key ports like Sokhna, East Port Said, Alexandria, and Gargoub, maintaining Egypt’s status as the region’s primary maritime and logistics hub. Al-Wazir concluded that constructing an artificial waterway across challenging, mountainous terrain to challenge the Suez Canal would be financially unfeasible and operationally impractical. He reaffirmed that the Suez Canal remains the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective maritime route between East and West, and Egypt’s infrastructure advancements had effectively neutralized competing regional ideas.",
  "summary": "Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, Kamel al-Wazir, commented on reports regarding an Israeli plan to establish an alternative waterway to the Suez Canal—widely referred to as the “Ben Gurion Canal.” Speaking during an interview on the Kalam Fi al-Siasa (Talks in Politics) program on the Extra News … The post Egypt thwarts Israel’s…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Egypt Independent",
        "title": "Far-right Israeli minister says alleged attacker should be extradited to Israel",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/far-right-israeli-minister-says-alleged-attacker-should-be-extradited",
        "published": "2026-10-01T12:32:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}