Israeli Tanks Spotted Along Egypt-Gaza Border Amid Rising Tensions Over Peace Accord Violations
Sources Report Merkava Tanks Near Rafah as Egypt and Israel Exchange Accusations Over Breaches of 1979 Peace Agreement.
Watan-Tribal sources in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that several Israeli Merkava tanks have appeared along the border between Egypt and the occupied Palestinian territories.
According to the sources, tanks were seen positioned across from villages south of the Egyptian city of Rafah. Elevated sites have reportedly been prepared to position these tanks, and the sources added that the tanks have been in continuous movement along the border throughout the day.
The sources further noted that Egyptian border guards do not deploy heavy machinery in these areas, relying instead on four-wheel drive vehicles only.
Since Israel launched its war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Cairo and Tel Aviv have been trading accusations of violating the 1979 peace treaty. Egyptian MP Mostafa Bakry submitted a formal inquiry on April 13 to Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty, raising concerns over Israel’s breaches, particularly regarding the seizure of several parts of Gaza, including the Salah al-Din (Philadelphi) Corridor along Egypt’s border with the Gaza Strip.
Bakry argued that Israel’s actions violate the Camp David Accords and the 2005 security protocol amendment, which requires mutual agreement on any new security arrangements along the border.
On the Israeli side, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz reportedly held high-level discussions earlier this month, accusing Egypt of “violations” of the military annex of the peace treaty, citing Egypt’s growing military infrastructure in the Sinai Peninsula. An Israeli security official claimed that Egypt’s increased military presence violates the peace terms and urged both Egypt and the United States to dismantle Egyptian military facilities in Sinai.
Israeli media have also reported that Egypt has strengthened its military deployments in various parts of Sinai over the past months.
Since May 2024, Israeli occupation forces have been deployed along the Egypt-Gaza border. Observers view these Israeli maneuvers as clear violations of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
