Israel Asks Egypt to Remove Heavy Sinai Arms

Israel has asked Egypt to remove heavy arms from the Sinai that were recently deployed in the fight against terror but in violation of the peace treaty between the two countries, according to Israeli sources cited, Sunday, by the newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi. Israel says Egypt informed Israel after the fact about the introduction of armored forces in the El-Arish area. Security sources appraise the request as a test of the relationship between Israel and the government of new president Mohammed Morsi, noting that Israel does not know how long the current Egyptian anti-terror campaign will take.

An Israeli source said international jihadists have paid Sinai Bedouin a handsome price - five times what they make from smuggling illegal aliens into Israel or smuggling drugs - for their support. The source called on the Egyptian government to get the Bedouin involved in security missions intended to drive the jihadists out of the area.