Retired Egyptian general Samach Sif Alizal said Thursday that Israel is planning to carry out a plan soon to disrupt and harm shipping in the Suez Canal in order to establish a rail line to bring freight to its neighbors and harm Egypt's income from the waterway.

Speaking at news conference during a gathering about Egypt's post-revolutionary future, Alizal said attempts by Egyptians to disrupt the canal over domestic issues would play into Israel's hands.