Egypt Issues Clarification Regarding Its Troop Deployment in Sinai

SadaNews - The Egyptian General Authority for Information issued a statement about the deployment of the Egyptian armed forces in the Sinai Peninsula.

The authority, which is affiliated with the presidency, confirmed in its statement that the forces in Sinai "are primarily aimed at securing the Egyptian borders against all threats, including terrorism and smuggling, and in coordination with the parties to the peace treaty, which Egypt is keen to maintain, given that throughout its history it has not violated any treaty or agreement."

The authority reiterated Egypt's rejection of expanding military operations in Gaza and the displacement of Palestinians from their lands, and affirmed Cairo's support for the Palestinian people's right to establish their independent state based on the two-state solution, on the territories of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The American news site "Axios" previously revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during their meeting in Jerusalem last Monday, a list of what he claimed were Egypt's activities in Sinai.

An American official and two Israeli officials told the site that Netanyahu asked President Donald Trump's administration to pressure Egypt to reduce the recent military buildup in the Sinai Peninsula.

They added that Netanyahu regarded this buildup as substantial violations by Egypt of the peace treaty signed with Israel in 1979, which the United States plays a guarantor role for.

Two Israeli officials alleged that the Egyptian army is establishing military infrastructure, some of which could be used for offensive purposes, in areas where the treaty only allows for the carrying of light weapons.

One Israeli official said that Tel Aviv decided to ask for Trump's administration's intervention after direct talks with the Egyptians yielded no progress. Another Israeli official added, "What the Egyptians are doing in Sinai is extremely dangerous, and we are very concerned."

In contrast, the site reported that a Egyptian official denied the Israeli allegations and stated that the Trump administration did not raise the issue with Egypt recently.