Shirit Avitan Cohen
Israel Hayom, Feb. 13, 2025
“Not only are we allowing the buildup of forces on the other side, but we are also permitting it without receiving anything in return, in a way that does not align with the diplomatic language of the Middle East.”
Attempts to smuggle weapons using drones, satellite images indicating changes in the Egyptian military’s force deployment in Sinai, and concerned security coordinators in Israeli border communities all paint a concerning picture regarding developments in Egypt.
Israeli political and security officials state that Egypt’s shifting military presence in Sinai is closely monitored and periodically approved by the prime minister. However, sources familiar with Israel-Egypt relations acknowledge that such approvals are always given retroactively, after Egypt has already turned these violations of the Israel-Egypt peace treaty into routine occurrences. A source with knowledge of the situation told Israel Hayom: “The images from Egypt raised concerns, prompting us to conduct checks with Military Intelligence and the Southern IDF Command. Indeed, there are violations, but surprisingly, the situation is better than it was in the past.”
Soldiers stationed near the border note that, given it is a peaceful border, any action is taken with caution, with primary attention focused on the smuggling routes between Sinai and the Bedouins.
The IDF recently acknowledged the smuggling of long-range weapons into Israel via drones. Israeli assessments indicate that these weapons previously made their way from Sinai to Gaza. However, with the IDF now deployed along the Philadelphi Corridor, a new client has emerged, the Bedouins, who in turn transfer the weapons to criminal organizations and the West Bank. On the Israeli side, smugglers wait on fast-moving ATVs and disappear within seconds. Since this is a relatively new smuggling route, Israeli authorities are still working to track where the weapons are being funneled, accumulating knowledge as they go. ...SOURCE