CAIRO: Israel is increasing its presence along the Egyptian border, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said on Wednesday. The move comes after last weeks attacks in southern Israel and subsequent cross-border raid in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula that left five Egyptian soldiers dead. It also comes as protests continue at the Israeli Embassy in Egypt, where a few hundred Egyptians demand the expulsion of the ambassador from the country in response to the attacks on Egyptian territory. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak issued their order last year to Gantz's predecessor, Gabi Ashkenazi, at the recommendation of the National Security Council. The government had earlier decided to build a new, NIS 1.4 billion fence along the border, but construction was expected to take at least two years. Consequently, the NSC recommended significantly increasing the IDF's deployment along the border in the meantime. There are worries in Egypt that the increased presence of Israeli military along the border could be permanent and could continue to keep tensions between the two countries high. One military official told bikyamasr.com that they hoped the situation along the border would resolve itself in the near future. The official, who was not authorized to speak to the media, said that both the Egyptian and Israeli militaries are in constant discussion over how to tackle the militant issue in the Sinai Peninsula. “Right now, we are looking at ways of reducing the tension and working together, logistically, on how to battle violent militants in Egypt,” the official said. The interim Egyptian Cabinet attempted to expel the ambassador from Egypt late last week, but local reports said that the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) intervened and stopped the move from going forward. BM
