Israel okays more Egyptian armor near border

Move aims to hinder Sinai-based terror groups

2 July 2013, 6:03 pm

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Egyptian army soldiers patrol in an armored vehicle, backed by a helicopter gunship, during a sweep through villages in the northern Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, in May 2013. (AP)

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s military says Egypt has moved forces into the border area near the Gaza Strip in coordination with Israel.

With unrest sweeping the country, Egypt is believed to have moved several dozen armored vehicles to the volatile border area to contain terrorist activity. The Israeli military gave no details.

Under a 1979 peace treaty, Egypt is required to coordinate any special military activity in the area with Israel.

In a statement Tuesday, the Israeli army said “the Egyptian military activity in Sinai is coordinated with Israeli security elements and authorized at the most senior levels in Israel, to contend with security threats in Sinai that pose a threat to both Israel and Egypt.”

Violent Islamic extremists are gaining strength in Sinai, and Palestinian militants have infiltrated through tunnels from Gaza.