Tensions between Israel and Egypt are escalating as Israel accuses Cairo of violating the decades-old peace treaty by constructing military bases in the Sinai Peninsula. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter warned on Sunday that Egypt has established bases that appear designed for offensive operations rather than defensive purposes.
&ldquo;This is a clear violation of the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel&mdash;after some 45 years,&rdquo; Leiter stated, emphasizing that Israel would soon present evidence of Cairo&rsquo;s military buildup.
The unusually sharp rhetoric from an Israeli official highlights growing friction between the two nations, particularly as both navigate the complexities of the ongoing Gaza war. Despite their historically cold but stable relations, Egypt has played a key role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas in negotiations over the release of Israeli hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack.
Ties between Israel and Egypt have been strained since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in December 2022. The situation has deteriorated further amid Egypt&rsquo;s strong opposition to any Israeli effort to push Palestinian civilians from Gaza into Sinai. Cairo has firmly rejected the notion and has sought guarantees that displaced Gazans would be allowed to return&mdash;an assurance that, according to a senior Arab diplomat, has yet to materialize.
The latest accusations regarding military expansion in Sinai threaten to deepen the rift between the two countries, raising concerns over the stability of the Camp David peace framework that has been a cornerstone of regional security for more than four decades.
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Egypt Military deployed tanks along the Israel border

Israel claims Egypt's Sinai bases violate peace treaty, raising regional tensions

Israel Accuses Egypt of Sinai Military Buildup

Israel claims Egypt's Sinai bases violate peace treaty, raising regional tensions

February 18, 2025 | 10:15 IST