Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned Egypt against breaching its peace treaty with Israel, highlighting concerns over a military buildup near its borders in the Sinai Peninsula, which also neighbors the Gaza Strip.
Egypt did not respond to the accusations but has previously stated its commitment to the existing peace accords.
Katz stated on Monday that Israel “will not allow violations of the agreement or disruptions to infrastructure,” Israeli media reported.
Newsweek has reached out to the Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
Any threats to the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, both key U.S. allies in the region, would have serious consequences for regional stability. The two countries were last at war in 1973, but signed a peace treaty in 1979 with the Camp David accords.
Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and in exchange also receives U.S. military aid which totals $1.3 billion a year. Egypt has also played a crucial role in mediating ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
The Camp David Accords imposed limitations on military presence and equipment in eastern Sinai, creating a demilitarized buffer zone, Zone C, monitored by Multinational Forces and Observers and the Egyptian civilian police.
What To Know
Calling Egypt “the largest and strongest Arab country,” Katz said the treaty was “a historic leadership decision that changed Israel’s reality and continues to do so today,” during a ceremony on Monday marking the anniversary of former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin’s death, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
Begin had signed the Camp David accords, which handed back Sinai to Egypt after it had been captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War and was then the scene of the 1973 war, in which Egyptian forces made major advances before being forced back.
Katz’ statements follow reports of Egyptian forces massing in northern Sinai.
Egypt has not officially commented on specific accusations regarding increasing its military presence in Sinai or on foreign media reports regarding its construction and military activity in the peninsula.
Last year, former Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that Egypt would continue to uphold the peace treaty with Israel “as long as it remains reciprocal,” according to Egypt’s state-owned Ahram Online website. Shoukry emphasized Egypt’s 40-year commitment to the peace treaty with Israel.
What People Are Saying
Military analyst Samir Farag to Sada el-Balad TV channel in January: “During the past six years under the threat of terrorism we had to add additional forces in Zone C near Rafah, more than those agreed upon in the treaty, which usually happens in coordination with the Israelis. The U.S. is monitoring Sinai for any violations. We sent in military forces and equipment to counter terrorism. Suddenly, this is becoming a ‘drama’ because Israel doesn’t want more military aid coming to Egypt.”
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter in February: “Egypt is in a very serious violation of our peace agreement in the Sinai. This is an issue which is going to come to the fore, because this is not a tolerable situation. There are bases being built, and they can only be used for offensive operations and offensive weapons. This is a clear violation. For a long time, this issue has been shoved to the side, but it continues. This is an issue that we are going to put on the table – very soon and very emphatically.”
What Happens Next
Israeli officials say they will continue to address its concerns over Sinai while Egypt is focused on preventing any plans to relocate Gazans into the peninsula.
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