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In violation of peace accord, Egypt deploying troops in Sinai without Israel's prior approval

The Egyptian army has been deploying large anti-terrorist forces in parts of the Sinai peninsula without informing Israel in advance. The peace treaty between the two countries limits the Egyptian military presence in Sinai.

Some of the Egyptian forces in the peninsula were sent there with Israel's consent, but Haaretz has learned that forces have also been deployed without Israel's prior approval. Israeli government officials only learned about it after the fact. Although Israeli defense officials declined to comment on the matter, they did note that there has been good security cooperation between the two countries, adding that there is regular contact between the two sides.

According to the 1979 peace agreement negotiated at Camp David, Egypt is not allowed to introduce tanks into certain areas of Sinai, including the vicinity of Al-Arish, to which dozens of tanks have been transported over the past several days. The treaty also bars the use of fighter aircraft, including helicopters, but that was approved retroactively by the Israeli security cabinet.

More than a year ago, Israel agreed to allow Egypt to maintain seven military battalions and six companies in Sinai, including tank units, in addition to the forces permitted by the peace treaty itself. Before the August 5 terrorist attack, Egypt had not stationed the full complement of troops in Sinai that it was permitted. Since the attack, the Egyptians have done so, but have also exceeded the terms to which Israel has agreed.

Speaking at the Islamic Solidarity Conference in Mecca yesterday, Morsi stressed that for Egypt and Arab Muslim countries, the Palestinian issue remains the most urgent, and called on the Palestinians to unite their ranks.

This week, Egypt's Information Minister Salah Abd al-Maksud, a Muslim Brotherhood member, said: "Egypt will not normalize relations with Israel until occupied Palestinian land is freed."

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This week, Egypt's Information Minister Salah Abd al-Maksud, a Muslim Brotherhood member, said: "Egypt will not normalize relations with Israel until occupied Palestinian land is freed."

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The Israeli government has asked Egypt to withdraw the armored vehicles it deployed in Sinai ten days ago, in contravention of the peace treaty between the two nations, according to Al-Quds Al-Arabi, which quotes Israeli sources.

Israel said that the deployment of armored forces in the EL Arish area was only reported to it retroactively by Egypt, after the forces had already been deployed. Once Egypt supplied Israel with the full details about the extent of the deployment, the Jewish state asked Egypt to withdraw its armor from northern Sinai.

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Egypt Reportedly Sets up Anti-Aircraft Missiles in Sinai Desert

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Egypt to plant a million acres, settle a million citizens in Sinai

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Reflecting the acute sensitivity of the issue, Israeli officials refused to comment Monday on whether Jerusalem gave Egyptian authorities a green light to introduce tanks and aircraft into Sinai to fight terrorists there, or whether Cairo was unilaterally moving forces there in contravention of the 1979 Israeli-Egypt peace treaty.

One official, who said he was instructed not to discuss the matter, said Israeli and Egyptian security officials were in contact.

The firing by new Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy of the military’s top brass earlier this month has raised some questions as to the level of coordination that will exist between Israel and Egyptian security officials.

That coordination remained good throughout the Egyptian revolution that saw the deposing of Hosni Mubarak and the election of Morsy. It was based, however, on long-standing ties with Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi and his top generals, forced out this month by Morsy.

According to Egyptian security sources, Egypt is preparing to use a combination of aircraft and tanks in Sinai for the first time since the 1973 Yom Kippur War, in its offensive against terrorists there.

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The 1,650 strong Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai is keeping a low public profile amid growing Israeli concern that Egypt may be violating the 1979 Camp David Treaty by bringing heavy weaponry into Sinai without first coordinating with Israel.

A representative for the force queried by e-mail whether Egypt asked permission to move the weaponry in, and whether Israel granted it, replied that "we are unable to respond to queries from the media at this time."

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This response came amid reports in both the Israeli and foreign media that Israel has turned to the US to mediate in the matter.

Asked about this, a US State Department official said he "cannot get into private diplomatic discussions."

The official added, however that, "We understand that the Israelis and Egyptians remain in communication on the issue of security efforts in the Sinai. Egyptian military leaders have reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to the peace treaty with Israel."

The US, the official said, "will maintain our frequent contacts with the Israelis and the Egyptians on this issue and continue to closely monitor the situation, and we also encourage them to remain in close communication."