The radical right-wing media in Israel has launched a fierce attack on the "movements of the Egyptian army along the border with Israel and the strengthening of its fortifications at the border." The Israeli news site "Hakol Hayehudi," representing the religious right in Israel, reported that residents of settlements along the Egyptian border are deeply concerned about the infiltration of Egyptian militants through Sinai or a full-scale invasion by the Egyptian army into Israeli territory.
Amichai Shilo, a reporter for "Hakol Hayehudi," mentioned that while the Israeli army operates in Rafah, residents of the Eshkol and Beit Nitzana settlements are fearful of armed infiltrations across the border with Egypt, raising questions about the Egyptian army's assessments of the border fence. The Hebrew site pointed out that the Egyptian army has been fortifying the border with Israel for some time, noting that prior to the entry of the Israeli army into Rafah, the scenario residents were preparing for in the Eshkol regional council settlements—especially those near the Egyptian border like Kerem Shalom, Shlomit, and Bnei Nitzra—was an invasion of Hamas forces from Rafah into their settlements or armed individuals from Egypt.
He continued, "Now, after the Israeli army's operations in Rafah, the threat from Egypt persists, and the threat from Gaza may return if the decision is made in the future to evacuate Israeli troops from the area." He highlighted the growing fear in border settlements with Egypt, where the Israeli army has reduced reserve units before the war, while expanded reserve units with new weapons and equipment are present, alongside the Soldiers of the Panther Brigade. However, it is clear to all that these forces may not be able to withstand the Egyptian army should it attempt an attack.
The site confirmed that the arming of the Israeli army along the Egyptian border includes heavy machine guns and that anti-tank weapons have not been supplied to them. Currently, the area is guarded by forces that are relatively unequipped and untrained to face any Egyptian invasion. Regarding the question of whether the Egyptian army is ready, the Hebrew site stated that residents of the border area are discussing unusual movements on the Egyptian side. After 7 AM every day, residents observe the Egyptian army intensifying its activities and adding outposts along the border, in addition to erecting four large communication towers along the fence—one in front of the Kerem Shalom crossing, the second near the Shlomit settlement, and the other two in the southern border area.
Additionally, residents reported that during the "Simhat Torah" prayer period last Saturday, Israeli army units and reserve forces noticed more than twenty white trucks, similar to those used by Hamas for incursions into Israel, parked on the Egyptian side of the border. Israeli combat helicopters received orders to address the matter but discovered that these were patrol trucks of the Egyptian border guard, unmarked and without prior coordination with Israel.
One resident of the area stated: "Today in Sinai, there are ISIS cells, and I should be happy that the Egyptian army is increasing security measures on the border. On the other hand, I do not trust the Egyptian army to protect me. What will happen if the Egyptian army decides tomorrow morning to invade Israel? I don’t know who would win."
