Egypt’s Military Buildup: A Dire Threat to Israel

The Egyptian military’s aggressive buildup in the Sinai Peninsula represents a clear and present danger to Israel and a blatant violation of the 1979 Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty. Despite longstanding diplomatic ties, Cairo has taken increasingly provocative actions that cannot be ignored. The Israeli government, as reported by the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), is preparing to address these violations emphatically, and rightly so. This is not merely a bureaucratic issue or a diplomatic footnote; it is a fundamental breach of an agreement that has been a pillar of stability in the region for 45 years.

The Camp David Accords and the subsequent 1979 peace treaty placed clear limits on Egyptian military activity in Sinai, ensuring that the territory would remain a buffer zone rather than a staging ground for military threats against Israel. However, as JNS has reported, Cairo has drastically exceeded these limitations. Satellite imagery has confirmed the expansion of Egyptian military encampments, with as many as 180 battalions stationed in Sinai—almost four times the number permitted by the treaty. The presence of Egypt’s elite Abrams battle tanks in the area, along with the construction of new airfields and underground infrastructure, makes it clear that these forces are not there for counterterrorism alone. These developments directly threaten Israel’s security and undermine the decades-old peace agreement.

For far too long, Israel has turned a blind eye to these infractions in the name of diplomatic stability. But as Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter recently stated in his address to American Jewish organizations, “this is going to be an issue that we’re going to put on the table very soon and very emphatically.” The time for patience has passed—Cairo must be held accountable for its blatant disregard for the peace treaty.

Egypt’s military actions are particularly troubling when viewed alongside President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s outright refusal to allow any Palestinians from Gaza to enter Egypt, even on a temporary basis. This hypocritical stance, detailed in JNS’s reporting, is not only morally indefensible but strategically reckless.

Sisi has publicly condemned any proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, positioning himself as a champion of Palestinian rights. Yet, his government is actively profiting from desperate Gazans seeking to flee. Reports have surfaced that members of Sisi’s own family are running a travel agency that charges thousands of dollars to facilitate the passage of Gazans out of the enclave. This exposes the Egyptian president’s real priorities: self-interest and political optics rather than genuine concern for Palestinian well-being.

Even more troubling is Egypt’s refusal to take in even a small number of Palestinians from Gaza while simultaneously demanding the creation of a Palestinian state in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. This contradiction is glaring. If Sisi believes that Palestinians must remain in Gaza at all costs, why is he unwilling to provide them safe haven in a humanitarian crisis? His refusal to act not only exacerbates the suffering in Gaza but also leaves Israel to bear the entire burden of dealing with Hamas and its consequences.

Egypt’s growing military presence in Sinai, combined with its diplomatic posturing, is a serious threat to Israeli security. As JNS has reported, Israeli officials have become increasingly alarmed by the permanent nature of these deployments. The implications are clear: if tensions escalate, Israel could find itself facing a well-equipped Egyptian force on its southern border, in direct violation of the very treaty that was supposed to prevent such a scenario.

Moreover, Egypt’s obstructionist stance on Palestinian relocation complicates efforts to stabilize the region after Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas. The fact that Sisi has even postponed a planned visit to Washington in protest of discussions on potential resettlement demonstrates his unwillingness to engage in constructive solutions. Instead of contributing to regional stability, he is fueling tensions and placing obstacles in the path of a post-Hamas Gaza.

The time has come for Israel to confront Egypt’s violations head-on. Cairo must be held to account for its military expansion in Sinai, and the international community must recognize the destabilizing effect of Sisi’s policies. If Egypt is unwilling to abide by the 1979 peace treaty, Israel should not be expected to accept its violations passively.

At the very least, Israel must demand an immediate reduction in Egyptian troop levels in Sinai, the removal of offensive weaponry, and the cessation of military base construction. If Cairo refuses to comply, Israel should consider diplomatic and economic measures to pressure Egypt into adherence. Furthermore, the U.S. and international community must recognize that Sisi’s actions—both in Sinai and regarding the Palestinians—are undermining peace efforts rather than supporting them.

For 45 years, Israel and Egypt have maintained a fragile but functional peace. That peace is now under threat—not from Israeli actions, but from Egyptian violations. Israel must act decisively before these infractions escalate into something far more dangerous.