IDF general Itamar Ben Chaim has minimized concerns regarding an imminent Egyptian military threat, asserting it is not a realistic scenario. Local residents and the Otef Yisrael Forum have expressed dissatisfaction with this reassurance, recalling past complacency before significant attacks. Officials within Israel are divided on Egypt’s military intentions, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of military buildup in the region and the implications for peace.
Brigadier General Itamar Ben Chaim of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), overseeing the 80th Division along the Egyptian border, has sought to alleviate fears regarding a perceived imminent military threat from Egypt. He stated, “The scenario in which the Egyptian army launches an attack in this area – we are not preparing for it because we do not believe it is a realistic scenario in the immediate future.” This reassurance aimed to calm Israeli residents near the border with Egypt, who have expressed heightened anxiety.
A local resident voiced skepticism about the IDF’s stance, reminding the general of prior complacency regarding threats, notably before the October 7 Hamas attack. In response, Ben Chaim highlighted the existing peace agreement with Egypt and reiterated the IDF’s focus on threats from multiple borders, including Lebanon and Gaza. He asserted, “We assess the threats we face. I do not believe that an attack, as described here, will occur in the near future.”
However, the Otef Yisrael Forum, representing numerous residents of southern Israeli communities, criticized the IDF’s dismissal of what they perceive as a credible risk. The forum contended that the military is endangering local lives and urged the military to heed public concerns. Their statement warned, “Before October 7, our warnings were ignored, and we were fed false security assumptions that led to disaster.”
While Israel and Egypt signed a peace agreement in 1979 that mandates the Sinai Peninsula be demilitarized, Egypt has maintained minimal relations with Israel amid prevalent anti-Israel sentiments. Concerns about a recent Egyptian military buildup have prompted Israeli officials, including Ambassador Danny Danon, to question Egypt’s extensive military investments, stating, “They spend hundreds of millions of dollars on modern military equipment every year, yet they have no threats on their borders.”
Israeli political and military leaders appear to be divided on whether Egypt poses a military threat. Despite the concerns raised by Israeli officials regarding Egypt’s military expansion, an unnamed senior official recently expressed no perceived intention from Egypt to harm the peace agreement, stating, “We do not identify any intention on Egypt’s part to harm the peace agreement.” This mixed outlook underscores ongoing discussions about regional security dynamics and the future of Egyptian-Israeli relations.
In summary, IDF Brig. Gen. Itamar Ben Chaim has downplayed fears of an imminent Egyptian military threat, citing the continuing peace agreement and resource allocation to other borders. Local residents and the Otef Yisrael Forum challenge this view, advocating for heightened awareness and response to potential threats. The debate within Israeli leadership regarding Egypt’s military actions reflects ongoing complexities in regional security and the legacy of the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement.
Original Source: allisrael.com
