The Israeli government has granted a special authorization to the Egyptian Military allowing the deployment of two infantry battalions in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, so that the army can operate against armed groups and smugglers.The Israeli government has granted a special authorization to the Egyptian Military allowing the deployment of two infantry battalions in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, so that the army can operate against armed groups and smugglers.
The authorization was granted despite a clause in the Camp David peace treaty between the countries forbidding the Egyptian armed forces from deploying in that area.
Israel said that the Egyptian request does not affect the peace agreement between the two countries, and that the Egyptian deployment is part of a joint operations plan to “counter terror in the Sinai Peninsula”.
Israeli Ynet News have reported that the battalions will be deployed in Al-Arish and Rafah, and that the battalions will be providing support to armored vehicles, engineering and Special Forces already operating against armed groups in Sinai.
The army is trying to get more forces deployed in the area to avoid losing control over Sinai to extremist armed groups, and smugglers.
The Camp David Agreement between Israel and Egypt, signed in 1979, limits the number of forces in Sinai, and on both sides of the borders.
Israel previously approved an Egyptian request to deploy tanks and heavy equipment close to the border to ensure security on border areas with close to Gaza such as the Egyptian city of Rafah, and the Al-Arish.
An Egyptian army source said that the army prepared a comprehensive plan to fight “Jihadist groups” in Sinai, and added that the army killed, three days ago, 37 armed men reportedly planning to attack Egyptian army camps. On Sunday, the Egyptian army exchanged fire with a cell operating in Sinai.
The army also used Apache helicopters and war jets in bombarding various areas used by armed groups.
