Tensions are rising in the region. As the ongoing conflict escalates,both Egypt and israel are trading accusations and navigating a complex web of treaty obligations. Learn about these increasing Sinai tensions and the current military presence, delving into the delicate balance of security concerns and how the Gaza conflict is impacting the relationship between these two nations.

## Sinai Tensions Rise Amidst Gaza conflict: Egypt and Israel Trade Accusations

Cairo and tel Aviv are navigating increasingly strained relations as the conflict in Gaza intensifies. The presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphia axis and at the rafah crossing has ignited a dispute, with Egypt asserting a violation of the 1979 peace treaty.Major General Ahmed Ibrahim, former Deputy director of Egyptian Military Intelligence, stated that current Egyptian military deployments in Sinai are not new, but rather fall within the parameters of the peace treaty and its subsequent amendments. He explained that the treaty supplement was modified twice: first,following Israel’s withdrawal from gaza in 2005,and again in response to the rise of terrorism in sinai after 2013. These modifications, approved by the United States, allowed for an increased Egyptian military presence to combat terrorism.though, Ibrahim contends that Israel’s actions as May 27, 2024, constitute a breach of the agreement. Israel penetrated the agreement with its presence as of May 27, 2024 in the Philadelphia axis and the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side, and the presence of this large size of the Israeli forces is an explicit violation of the peace agreement. he further accused Israel of attempting to involve Egypt in the ongoing conflict, stating, Israel always aims its failure in Gaza and its inability to achieve any strategic goals and is trying to drag Egypt to be part of the problem.

Ibrahim emphasized that the egyptian military presence in Sinai serves as a security measure for both countries. The size of the Egyptian forces in Sinai is a kind of insurance for Israel and not a threat to it, securing Israel from attacks that were taking place in 2002, 2004 and 2005 in the Negev desert region and Eilat by the Egyptian by some terrorist and extremist elements. He concluded, What Egypt is doing today is aimed at securing its borders onyl.

On the Israeli side, Kobe Lafi, a former advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, acknowledged past cooperation with Egypt in combating terrorism in Sinai.When terrorism was in Sinai, there was an Egyptian request from Israel to help curb terrorist phenomena, Israel has responded to a common interest. Though,he asserted Israel’s ability to defend itself independently. We can protect ourselves and do not want any help from any country, whether or not it is a friend.

Lafi addressed the current situation in Gaza, tracing its roots back to the 1979 treaty and the subsequent control of the Gaza Strip. He noted that while the Palestinian Authority initially intended to govern the area, Hamas’s seizure of the Philadelphia axis and the Rafah crossing led to smuggling activities that served terrorist objectives.

When we saw the infrastructure of terrorism after October 7, there was a security necessity to confront it and we do not want the threat of Egyptian national security and we respect it and have common interests.Kobe Lafi, former advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Defense

Lafi also suggested that external factors are influencing the dynamics between Egypt and Israel. All military activity in the Sinai has a goal for America to interfere with negotiations between Egypt and Israel, everything related to the future of the Palestinians. He cautioned against allowing these external forces to disrupt the relationship, stating, There are external parties that want to tamper with relations between Egypt and Israel, but if we are smart, we must completely teach the interests of those parties and work in hand.

The exchange of accusations highlights the delicate balance of security concerns and treaty obligations that govern the relationship between Egypt and Israel, notably as the conflict in gaza continues to unfold.