Military forces stationed at Egypt's border with Gaza escalate, mirroring heightened tensions between Egypt and Israel.
Spicing Up Tensions:
It seems Egypt's peaceful border with Gaza is about to heat up as more armored personnel carriers and troops roll in, a stark response to the looming Israeli ground operation in Rafah. Residents of Sheikh Zuweid, a town near the border, have spotted a whopping 15 armored vehicles making their way towards Egypt's frontier with Gaza, according to the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights.
Another convoy of armored vehicles has also arrived in the village of Al-Joura, further south, the foundation added.
The troop deployment follows a deepening rift between Egypt and Israel over Israel's offensive on Rafah, a city on the southern Gaza border where around 1.5 million displaced Palestinians are huddled together. Last week, Israel seized the Rafah border crossing with Egypt and launched military operations in the city – moves that left Egypt fuming.
"No operation coordination” between Egypt and Israel was reported before the crossing was attacked, Egyptian military sources told Middle East Eye last week.
Further Repercussions:
The diplomatic and military tension has led to a standstill in humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza. Egypt has ratcheted up the pressure on Israel, rebuffing its requests to reopen the Rafah crossing. The Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, accused Israel of wanting to use the Rafah crossing to tighten the noose around Gaza.
On the other hand, Israel's Prime Minister, Netanyahu, slammed Cairo for holding Gaza “hostage” by refusing to help reopen the crossing. Prior to Israel's operation on May 7, the crossing was jointly controlled by Egypt and Hamas.
Ramping Up the Heat:
The diplomatic spat between Egypt and Israel has been burning for days now. Egypt is reportedly considering a downgrade in bilateral ties with Israel, according to The Wall Street Journal. This would include possibly withdrawing their ambassador.
Egypt has also decided to join South Africa in its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has additionally accused Israel of blocking aid to Gaza.
'Those who think that security and military solutions are able to secure interests or achieve security [are] delusional'
- President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Analysts and diplomats are keeping a watchful eye, waiting to see if the angry words translate into serious actions, particularly for the delicate security and defense relationship that's managed by Egypt's military and intelligence officers.
A significant escalation in the ongoing verbal spat would be the deployment of additional troops to Sinai, a former senior western diplomat told MEE.
Sisi Speaks Out:
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi added his voice to the unfolding drama at an Arab League summit in Bahrain this week. He accused Israel of evading efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and cautioned that military solutions would only lead to more problems, not lasting solutions.
Egypt, along with Qatar, has also played a vital role in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The critical question now is whether the growing tension will result in a meaningful shift in the region's politics and security dynamics.
Insights:
- Egypt's previous attempts to push through a peace initiative with Israel have faced obstacles[6].
- Egypt has been under increased pressure from Hamas to crack down on Israel's blockade of Gaza[7].
- Egypt is concerned about the potential collapse of the Camp David accords, the historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel[8].
[1] Middle East Monitor, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210603-egypt-blocks-protesters-who-want-to-march-to-gaza/[2] Al-Monitor, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/06/egypt-back-recent-arab-league-statement-condemns-israel.html[3] Middle East Eye, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-israel-ramping-tension[4] Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/poll-israelis-believe-egypt-may-be-abandoning-peace-accords-664827[5] Al-Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/25/egypt-israel-iran-military-confrontation-strains-cairo-ties[6] Middle East Eye, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-palestine-peace-initiative-stalls[7] Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-urges-egypt-halt-israeli-gaza-blockade-2021-06-09/[8] Middle East Eye, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/camp-david-accords-50-years-dormant-deal
- The ongoing tension between Egypt and Israel, heightened by recent military actions in Gaza, has led to a stalemate in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
- Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has accused Israel of evading ceasefire efforts and warned that military solutions will not lead to lasting peace.
- Analysts are monitoring the situation closely, particularly the potential deployment of additional troops to Sinai, as a possible sign of a significant escalation in the verbal spat.
- Egypt has joined South Africa in a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide.
- The diplomatic spat between Egypt and Israel threatens to disrupt the delicate security and defense relationship managed by Egypt's military and intelligence officers.
- The situation in the Middle East, involving parties like Palestine, Israel, and Egypt, remains a hot topic in general news and media discussions about war and conflicts, politics, and human rights.
