Egypt has deployed about 40,000 soldiers in North Sinai, nearly double the number permitted under the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, according to a senior military source.
The move follows direct orders from President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi after meetings with the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the National Security Council. Officials say the Egyptian army is now at its highest state of alert in years.
Forces are stationed across North Sinai, including Zone C near the Gaza border. The mobilization includes armored vehicles, air defense systems, special forces, and M60 battle tanks positioned near Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid.
Egypt informed Israel of the reinforcements, though Israeli officials have raised concerns about the scale of the deployment in restricted zones. Egyptian officers assured counterparts the measures are defensive and aimed at securing the border amid escalating tensions.
The deployment comes as Egypt warns against any attempt to push Palestinians from Gaza into Sinai. President el-Sisi has declared such a scenario a “red line,” stating that Palestinians must not be displaced from their land.
The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty set strict limits on troop levels in Sinai as part of security arrangements following years of conflict. Egypt’s current deployment surpasses those restrictions.
In April, Egyptian parliamentarians and tribal leaders in El-Arish reaffirmed that Sinai cannot serve as an alternative homeland for Palestinians. Tribal leaders voiced solidarity with Gaza but insisted on protecting Egyptian sovereignty.
The buildup raises questions about Egypt’s response to potential mass displacement or intensified fighting near the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s main outlet beyond Israel. Analysts say the coming period will test Cairo’s ability to balance security, diplomacy, and national interests amid the ongoing Gaza crisis.