Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati received Elizabeth Deeble, Director General of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai, established in 1981 under a protocol annexed to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Ambassador Tammam Khalaf, revealed that the minister highlighted during the meeting the important role the multinational force has played for over four decades in Sinai since the signing of the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister emphasized that the multinational force in Sinai represents a fundamental pillar supporting peace and stability in the region.

Abdel Aati praised the coordination between the multinational force and Egyptian authorities, stressing the importance of continued international support for the force and appreciating the participation of member countries as a reflection of international backing for its vital role.

The Director General of the multinational force also praised the excellent cooperation with the Egyptian side and the full facilitation provided by Egyptian authorities.

For more than 40 years, the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty has contributed to maintaining calm, but it has witnessed repeated accusations of violations, especially in recent years due to regional tensions resulting from the Gaza conflict and terrorist threats in Sinai.

In recent months, Israeli accusations against Egypt have escalated, alleging the construction of military infrastructure and deployment of forces exceeding permitted limits (e.g., 180 battalions instead of 47), with the United States halting aerial surveillance and inspections since October 2023, raising Israeli concerns about arms smuggling or security threats.

Egypt denied these accusations, considering any military movements to be coordinated with Israel to combat terrorism, describing the accusations as “incitement,” coinciding with Egypt’s rejection of possible Israeli plans to force Palestinians to relocate to Sinai.

The multinational force and observer team in Sinai were established under a protocol annexed to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty signed on March 26, 1979, following the Camp David Accords of 1978, after the UN Security Council failed to provide a UN force due to international tensions.

The force consists of about 1,200 military and civilian personnel from 13 countries (such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Italy) with its headquarters in Sharm El-Sheikh, Sinai, and centers in Ismailia and Eilat in Israel, and Rome in Italy.

The force monitors the implementation of the security protocol annexed to the treaty, which divides the Sinai Peninsula into four security zones (A, B, C in Egypt, and D in Israel) with strict restrictions on military presence to prevent violations, and maintains freedom of navigation in the Strait of Tiran and Gulf of Aqaba.

The force acts as a neutral mediator, reporting only to Egypt and Israel, funded through member countries’ contributions, with significant American support under commitments made by President Jimmy Carter.