The Hollow Peace: Egypt's Violation of the 1979 Treaty with Israel

Imagine a peace treaty that's been in place for over four decades, yet its pillars are slowly crumbling. This is the reality of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. The treaty's Article III, subsection two explicitly requires both parties to prevent acts of belligerency, hostility, or violence from within their territories. But what does it mean when one party, Egypt, appears to be turning a blind eye to Hamas's tunnel network along the Philadelphi Corridor? Recent revelations about the discovery of dozens of Hamas tunnels, some quite large, stretching from Gaza into Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, raise serious questions about Egypt's adherence to the treaty. These tunnels served as military supply lines, allowing the group's leaders and fighters to rotate in and out of the enclave for training and guidance.

The absence of a comprehensive strategy to tackle this problem is astounding, considering Egypt received billions of dollars in U.S. taxpayer funds as part of the treaty. Was Egypt motivated by economic decline? Did it get paid off by Hamas or its patrons? Was it threatened by the Bedouin Union of Tribes, who profit from smuggling? The implications of Egypt's actions go beyond its bilateral relationship with Israel. They undermine American diplomatic and strategic interests in the Middle East. A more effective approach would be for Israel to work with Washington to install an underground security system to prevent Hamas from exploiting the border. The U.S. Congress should consider conditioning aid until Egypt upholds its obligations. Ultimately, the fate of the 1979 peace treaty hangs in the balance. It's time for Egypt to acknowledge its responsibility and work towards a more secure future for all parties involved.

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