Egypt mobilises 40,000 troops in Sinai amid Gaza displacement fears, source says

Egypt has deployed additional forces along the border with Gaza amid rising fears that Israel’s planned occupation of the strip could push Palestinians into North Sinai, a senior military source told Middle East Eye. 

He said that about 40,000 soldiers are now deployed in North Sinai, almost double the number allowed under the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty.

“Egypt’s army is on the highest state of alert we’ve seen in years,” the source said. 

This followed “direct orders from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in his capacity as commander-in-chief, following a meeting with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the National Security Council,” he added. 

He said that Israel wants to dismantle Hamas in Gaza and force large numbers of Palestinians out, a position Egypt rejects. 

Egyptian forces are now stationed across various parts of North Sinai, including in “Zone C,” the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip, he added. 

Egypt notified Israel of the reinforcements, which have been met with complaints about the size of the force and its presence in restricted zones. 

“Egypt insists the mobilisation is defensive, but has made it equally clear that any strike on its territory would be met with a firm response,” the source said.

Armoured vehicles, air defence systems, special forces and M60 battle tanks have been deployed to the nearby Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid cities and around al-Joura village near the border with Gaza. 

“Egyptian liaison officers informed their Israeli counterparts that the recent measures were purely defensive and aimed at securing the border amid rising tensions,” the source added.

Read more: Egypt mobilises 40,000 troops in Sinai amid Gaza displacement fears, source says