Tensions continue to simmer between Egypt and Israel over military deployment along their shared border with each side accusing the other of violating their 1979 peace agreement.
Axios reported on Saturday that Israeli officials condemned the Egyptian military buildup in Sinai.
“Two Israeli officials said the Egyptian have been establishing military infrastructure — some of which could be used for offensive purposes — in areas where only light weapons are allowed under the treaty,” it reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked US President Donald Trump’s administration to pressure Egypt to reduce its military reinforcements in Sinai, it added.
Egypt’s State Information Service responded to the report, saying it its forces were in Sinai in line with the peace treaty arrangements.
It denied that they had committed any violation of the agreement, stressing that the forces were deployed in Sinai to secure Egypt’s borders against all threats, including terrorist operations and smugglers.
Egypt is keen on maintaining the peace agreement, adding that it has never violated any deal or treaty, said the Service.
Cairo’s response did little to ease Israeli concerns. Israeli media continued to claim that Egypt was bolstering its forces in northern Sinai.
The reports said the moves reflect Egypt’s concern over the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into Sinai.
Israeli media also said that even before Israel intensified its offensive in Gaza, Egypt had deployed 40,000 soldiers on the border with Israel and that it had dispatched armored vehicles to the area.
Meanwhile, Egyptian officials accused Israel of violating the peace agreement.
MP Mustafa Bakry said Netanyahu was violating the deal and a 2005 security protocol after Israeli forces occupied the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border.
Journalist Louay al-Khatib wondered at Netanyahu’s complaint to Trump over the alleged buildup when the PM was waging an entire war along the border with Egypt.
Member of the Council for Foreign Affairs Rakha Ahmed said Egypt’s measures were not a violation of the peace agreement, but defensive moves given the situation in Gaza.
Cairo is committed to the agreement, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Moreover, he warned that the Israeli actions in Gaza were a “frank threat to Egypt’s security.”
Israel is threatening to strike and displace the Palestinians. “It is waging a genocidal war against civilians in Gaza, while Egypt is carrying out measures to secure its borders,” he explained.
