Egypt is increasing its security presence on its border with the Gaza Strip, fearful that Israel's war against Hamas will spread to its territory should the Israeli army begin its ground assault on the enclave's southernmost city, Rafah. , where more than half of Gaza's population is located. shelter.
The border fortification is a “precautionary” measure ahead of an expected Israeli ground operation in Rafah, Egyptian security officials told CNN. As part of its security strengthening, officials said, Egypt has deployed more troops and machinery in northern Sinai, on the border with Gaza.
Ties of decades at risk?: Egypt was the first Arab nation to recognize Israel in 1979. The two signed a historic pact that saw Israel return the Sinai Peninsula it captured from Egypt in the 1967 war in exchange for peace. The treaty also limited the number of troops stationed on the border between Egypt and Gaza, which at the time was controlled by Israel. The treaty made Egypt a pariah in the Arab world, but decades later it helped pave the way for other Arab nations to sign similar agreements with Israel.
Western media outlets, including the Associated Press and The New York Times, have reported that Egypt has threatened to scrap the peace treaty if Israeli troops invade Rafah. Egypt's Foreign Minister dismissed those reports but said at a news conference on Monday that Cairo will adhere to the treaty “as long as it remains reciprocal,” state newspaper Ahram reported.
An Israeli official acknowledged that Egyptians have been concerned about Israel's operation, but said they are not aware of a specific threat to the treaty.
Read more about The relationship between Egypt and Israel.
