Outgoing Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has expressed concerns about what he described as a "security threat from Egypt," stating that while it does not currently pose a danger to Tel Aviv, "the situation could change in an instant," according to Israeli media.
اضافة اعلان
Halevi made these remarks earlier this week while addressing graduates of an officers' course in Holon (central Israel), as reported by Israel's Channel 14 on Wednesday evening.
Halevi is set to officially hand over his position to his successor, Eyal Zamir, in the first week of March.
This is not the first time in recent months that an Israeli official has voiced concerns about Egypt's military capabilities. Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, also raised fears regarding Egypt's military armament.
At the end of January, Danon questioned Egypt’s growing military strength, stating:
"They have no threats in the region. Why do they (Egyptians) need all these submarines and tanks?"
In this context, Halevi remarked:
"Israel is concerned about the security threat from Egypt. We believe it does not pose an immediate danger, but that could change in an instant."
He further added:
"We are very worried about this issue, but it is not currently one of our top priorities, and we must acknowledge that."
Halevi went on to describe Egypt's military capabilities, stating:
"Egypt has a large army equipped with advanced weaponry, including aircraft, submarines, sophisticated missiles, and an extremely high number of tanks and infantry troops."
As of 20:20 GMT, Egypt has not issued an official response to Halevi’s remarks. However, it previously responded to Danon's statements at the UN, asserting that Egypt, like major global powers, requires a strong military to protect its national security.
In February, Egypt’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Osama Abdel Khalek, responded to Danon’s concerns by stating:
"Since he has given himself the right to question Egypt’s military build-up, the answer is clear, simple, and direct: Powerful nations like Egypt require strong and capable armies to defend their national security comprehensively with sufficient and diverse armament."
He further emphasized:
"Egypt was the first to lay the foundations for peace in the Middle East and remains committed to peace as a strategic choice. However, Egypt is fully capable of defending its national security with a powerful army and a history spanning thousands of years."
Abdel Khalek also stressed that Egypt's military doctrine is defensive but maintains strong deterrent capabilities.
On March 26, 1979, Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty in Washington, following the Camp David Accords in 1978. The treaty's key provisions included ending the state of war, normalizing relations, Israel’s full withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula, and keeping the area demilitarized. (Anadolu Agency)
