Tel Aviv: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Monday that Israel would not permit Egypt to breach the peace treaty established between the two nations in 1979. Katz made these remarks during a ceremony commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the death of former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Katz emphasized Egypt's position as 'the largest and most powerful Arab country.' He asserted that the peace treaty had removed Egypt from the 'cycle of war,' marking a pivotal leadership decision that altered both historical and current circumstances of the State of Israel. Despite this acknowledgment, Katz firmly stated, 'we will not allow them (the Egyptians) to violate the peace agreement. We will not allow them to violate infrastructure. We are dealing with this, but the agreement exists.'
Egypt has yet to respond to these statements by Katz. The comments come amid online rumors suggesting that the Egyptian army might unexpectedly attack Israel, raising concerns among many Israelis.
In recent months, Israeli officials have politically targeted Egypt and its military. On Sunday, Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of the right-wing party Yisrael Beiteinu, proposed that Egypt absorb most of Gaza's population as a practical solution, citing the high population density in Gaza and the underutilized lands in Sinai. Lieberman claimed that Palestinians in Gaza and the Sinai share cultural and familial ties, which would facilitate a 'natural' integration.
In addition, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi expressed concerns about Egypt's potential security threat, although he noted that it is not currently imminent. Halevi warned of Egypt's large military, equipped with advanced weaponry and substantial forces, during a speech to officer training graduates in Holon.
Israeli officials have previously questioned Egypt's military expansion, with Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon querying the necessity of Egypt's military capabilities. In response, Egypt's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, defended Egypt's military strength as essential for its national security. He reiterated Egypt's commitment to peace in the Middle East while maintaining a powerful military for deterrence.
The peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, signed on March 26, 1979, in Washington, DC, followed the Camp David Accords. Key treaty provisions included the cessation of hostilities, normalization of relations, and Israel's withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, designated as a demilitarized zone.