Egyptian Military Buildup in Sinai Raises Concerns in Israel

Egypt’s growing military presence in the Sinai Peninsula and its ongoing infrastructure projects have raised concerns among Israeli analysts, with some questioning whether Cairo is preparing for a potential future conflict with Israel.

While official Israeli defense sources maintain that coordination between the two countries remains strong, the scale of Egypt’s deployments appears to exceed previous justifications, such as countering ISIS. Some experts warn that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government may view Israel as a potential adversary in the long term.

On February 4, reports surfaced that Egypt warned Israel against maintaining a military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, the narrow strip along Gaza’s border with Egypt. According to sources cited by Al Akhbar, a Hezbollah-linked newspaper, Cairo allegedly threatened that continued IDF operations in the area could be considered a violation of the Camp David Peace Agreement.

Israeli officials insist that military cooperation between the two nations remains intact. However, Moshe Fuzaylov, a former senior Shin Bet intelligence officer, pointed out that Egypt has significantly expanded its military infrastructure in Sinai, including constructing three airfields, storage tunnels for military supplies, and extensive fuel reserves.

“Egypt has no reason to prepare such systems and insert these forces unless it assumes that Israel is its primary threat scenario,” Fuzaylov stated.

Concerns over Egypt’s intentions were echoed by former Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, who questioned why Cairo continues to invest heavily in military capabilities despite lacking major external threats. “They spend hundreds of millions of dollars on modern military equipment every year, yet they have no threats on their borders,” Danon said. “After October 7, this should raise alarm bells.”

Some analysts suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for a U.S. presence in Gaza may be, in part, a strategic move to serve as a buffer between Egypt and Israel, signaling American involvement in the region’s security balance.

With regional tensions already high, Egypt’s growing military footprint in Sinai is being closely monitored. Israel, having learned the harsh lessons of October 7, is taking no chances in assessing potential threats. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates to stay informed on evolving security developments in the Middle East.