The American forces tasked with overseeing the Israel-Egypt peace treaty have ceased conducting reconnaissance flights over the Sinai Peninsula and inspecting the contents of tunnels since Hamas' October 7 massacre, Israel Hayom has learned. The issue reportedly only began receiving attention under the Trump administration, but no tangible outcomes have been seen thus far.
Under the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, the US guarantees that both parties adhere to the treaty, particularly the attached security annex. This annex strictly defines the number and location of Egyptian forces permitted in Sinai, and allows for adjustments only through bilateral coordination with Israeli approval.
To ensure compliance, the US led the establishment of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), which operates across Sinai and includes aerial reconnaissance missions. However, for unclear reasons, these flights were halted with the outbreak of the war and have not resumed.
Israel has repeatedly pressed both the Biden and Trump administrations to fulfill US obligations and reinstate the flights. Former Israeli Ambassador to Washington Michael (Mike) Herzog led these efforts under the previous administration. A source familiar with the discussions told Israel Hayom that top US officials brushed off the request, responding that Gaza required additional aid instead.
Another critical oversight function that has been suspended is the inspection of Egypt's underground infrastructure in Sinai. A senior Israeli official disclosed that Egypt rejected MFO inspectors' requests to examine tunnel systems under construction. These inspections have become a pressing issue as the tunnels are believed to be capable of housing large quantities of weaponry. Israel is deeply concerned by Egypt's actions in this area.
"What's happening in Sinai's tunnels is extremely disturbing," a knowledgeable source said. "Beyond this being a grave violation of the peace accord, there's no plausible destination for those weapons other than Israel."
The restricted operations of the MFO coincide with Egypt's broader breaches of the peace treaty. In the early months of the war, Egypt deployed numerous forces, including armored units, to the Rafah area. Cairo developed a method of first moving troops into Sinai and only afterward notifying Israel, ostensibly to obtain the required approvals. In practice, Egypt presented Israel with faits accomplis, while simultaneously disrupting the international observers' work.
Following Biden's term, Israel quickly raised the matter again with the incoming Trump administration. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed it with current Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his February visit to Israel, and several follow-up requests have been made since.
This concern was the backdrop to several public comments made by Israel's current ambassador to Washington, Dr. Yehiel Leiter. Contrary to the perception that his remarks were rookie gaffes, Israel Hayom has learned that they were deliberate, aimed at spurring US action and signaling to Cairo that Israel will no longer tolerate the situation.
The Trump administration has indeed begun to press Egypt to resume its oversight responsibilities. "When the Americans take something seriously, others around the world do too," a source involved in the discussions told Israel Hayom. Nevertheless, inquiries by Israel Hayom confirm that the aerial missions over Sinai have not resumed and international inspectors have still not been granted access to the tunnels.
The MFO did not respond to a request for comment from Israel Hayom. However, it stated: "The force does not comment to the media on its verification and patrol missions, but it provides full updates to both treaty parties regarding its operations and observations."
