Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned behind closed doors that Israel must closely monitor the growing strength of the Egyptian military, citing sensitivities in relations with Israel's southern neighbor.
During a classified discussion of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Netanyahu said the Egyptian military was "building up" and that Israel needed to ensure the buildup did not go too far.
"The Egyptian military is growing stronger and this needs to be monitored. We have a relationship with Egypt, but we must prevent an excessive buildup," Netanyahu said.
Despite the tensions, Israel and Egypt signed a $35 billion gas deal last December. The deal was pushed by the US, and the same frictions reportedly delayed its finalization.
Meanwhile, as part of the investigation known as QatarGate, suspicions have emerged that messages originating in Qatar and aimed at smearing Egypt were also disseminated by advisers to the prime minister who are suspects in the affair.
