Growing concern in the country's south following significant changes in Egyptian force deployment in Sinai. Satellite images obtained by Israeli media reveal increased deployment of Egyptian tanks and military vehicles near Israel's border, significantly exceeding what is permitted under the peace treaty. Simultaneously, attempts to smuggle weapons via drones from Sinai into Israeli territory were discovered, indicating the development of new operational patterns in the region, particularly notable given that Egypt is not denying the reinforcement of forces in Sinai.
According to a report based on Israel Hayom's sources, it appears that "political and security echelons say that changes in the Egyptian army's force arrangement in Sinai are being closely monitored and even periodically approved by the Prime Minister. However, sources familiar with Israel-Egypt relations admit – the approval is always retroactive, after Egypt has already turned the violations into routine matters. A source familiar with the details said yesterday: 'The images received from Egypt raised concerns, so we conducted checks with Military Intelligence and Southern Command. There are indeed violations, but surprisingly, the situation is better than before'".
Soldiers serving near the border report that due to it being a peace border, all actions are taken cautiously, with primary attention focused on the new-old smuggling route that has opened between Sinai and the Bedouins. Recently, the IDF spokesperson acknowledged the smuggling of long weapons into Israel via drones. According to security assessments, these are weapons that previously made their way from Sinai to Gaza, and now, with the IDF deployed along the Philadelphi Route, a new client has been found: the Bedouins, and from them to criminal organizations and to Judea and Samaria. On the Israeli side, smugglers wait on fast Razers and disappear within seconds.
Meanwhile, Al-Arabiya news agency reports a different picture from the Egyptian side. According to reports, in recent days Egyptian social media has been buzzing following the appearance of images and videos documenting extensive deployment of Egyptian military vehicles in northern Sinai, near the Rafah area on the border with the Gaza Strip. The military movements raised many questions in Egypt, especially against the backdrop of American statements regarding the possibility of transferring Gaza Strip residents to Sinai.
The Egyptian military and strategic expert, retired Major General Muhammad Rifaat Gad, explained in an interview with Al-Arabiya that Egypt is strengthening its forces and security measures at the borders in accordance with national security requirements and the scale of existing threats. According to him, Egyptian security reinforcements have been carried out periodically since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023. He emphasized that Egypt is taking the highest security measures on its borders and conducting close and detailed monitoring of the security situation.
Major General Gad added that military movements within Sinai are considered a sovereign right and legitimate steps of the Egyptian state in maintaining its internal and security stability in Sinai and maintaining public order. However, he acknowledged that these movements might concern Israel if they exceed the boundaries established in the peace treaty or raise doubts about the Egyptian army's intentions.
Referring to the difference between Egyptian activity in Sinai and Israeli activity on the Philadelphi Route (Salah al-Din axis), Major General Gad explained that this is a fundamental issue concerning the interpretation of security agreements between the countries. He emphasized that there is a substantial difference between Egyptian military movements in Sinai and Israeli activity on the Philadelphi Route, as the route was not part of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.
Gad expanded and explained the historical development of the situation: the route along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt became significant only after the 1993 Oslo Accords, which established Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and the West Bank. In 2005, with Israel's unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, new security arrangements were established in the Strip, including Palestinian Authority rule and the Crossings Agreement, although Israel maintained control over borders and crossings.
The Egyptian expert noted that the situation changed again in 2007, when Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip after a confrontation with Fatah. Since then, the Philadelphi Route became part of the security arrangements established following the Oslo Accords and played a central role in supervising crossings between Gaza and Egypt. It's important to note that the Salah al-Din axis, stretching 14.5 kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea to the Kerem Abu Salem crossing, is defined by the Camp David Accords as a buffer zone where military vehicles are prohibited.
An additional development indicating growing tension is the cancellation of the Egyptian President's planned visit to the White House. According to an official update from the White House, the Egyptian President decided to cancel his arrival, a move interpreted as an expression of concern or hesitation against the backdrop of the tense situation.
In an official response to the events, the IDF spokesperson stated: "IDF forces are deployed at the border to protect settlements and are operating accordingly. As part of the war, defensive efforts have been strengthened and rules of engagement have been adapted, allowing soldiers to respond effectively and offensively to any threat on the western border. The public is regularly updated on developments in all sectors, subject to accepted considerations of censorship and information security. The IDF continues to operate according to security needs while respecting the peace treaty".
