Israel’s political leadership is deeply concerned about Egypt’s violations of the peace agreement in the Sinai Peninsula and intends to address the issue with the Trump administration. Senior security officials warn that despite the peace treaty, Egypt has a vested interest in weakening Israel militarily and politically. They argue that it is time to abandon the misconceptions that led to the intelligence failure on October 7, 2023.
The violations of the peace agreement between Israel and Egypt are causing significant alarm within both political and security circles.
According to security sources, Egypt has expanded military airfields in Sinai, specifically in the Refidim and El-Arish areas, constructed new bunkers and anti-tank obstacles, and established new ammunition and fuel depots.
Additionally, seven tunnels have been built under the Suez Canal—four in the Ismailia area and three in Port Said.
Reports also indicate that Egypt has widened major transportation routes in Sinai into highways, despite the region’s sparse population, writes Israeli journalist Amir Tsarfati.
While some of these violations were permitted by Israel to assist the Egyptian military’s fight against ISIS affiliates in Sinai, security officials emphasize that such approvals were always granted retroactively to avoid diplomatic confrontations with Egypt.
Nevertheless, according to their assessments, Egypt currently maintains four times the military forces in Sinai than permitted under the peace treaty.
Since assuming power in 2014, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has been modernizing Egypt’s military forces—on land, at sea, and in the air—investing heavily with the assistance of the U.S. military aid package, which amounts to $1.5 billion annually.
Furthermore, the Egyptian military continues to conduct exercises simulating combat scenarios against Israel.
Hellbound and Down 