(Al-Monitor) Ben Caspit - Security collaboration between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Egyptian military is at its zenith. Unlike during the time of Mohammed Morsi and Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptians have a dedicated battalion that is deployed in the area from which rockets could be fired at Eilat. "What has happened in Egypt is that they switched from a mode of repression and denial to taking responsibility and taking resolute action," an Israeli security official said. Khaled Mashaal, the chairman of Hamas' political bureau, recently met with a senior al-Qaeda member. This nexus between al-Qaeda and Hamas proves the point the Egyptians - as well as the Israelis - have been making for a long time, thus bringing into sharper focus the new emerging camps in the Middle East. Presently, the Egyptian military has two infantry brigades, a tank battalion, an Apache helicopter gunship squadron and engineering forces in Sinai, a far larger force than what Egypt is allowed under the peace accords. This arrangement is being renewed by Israel every few months. In recent months, these forces have been operating with persistence, resolve and perseverance, demonstrating effective capability.
2014-05-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive