• Israel is concerned about Egypt's military presence in the Sinai Peninsula.
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has asked the US to pressure Egypt to reduce its military buildup.
• Egypt insists its military deployment is for border security and complies with the 1979 peace treaty.
• Both countries have conflicting narratives about the nature and purpose of the military presence in Sinai.
• Diplomatic talks between Israel and Egypt regarding this issue have reportedly stalled.

Israeli officials are increasingly alarmed by Egypt's military buildup in the Sinai Peninsula, which they consider a significant concern amid rising tensions between the two nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed to the Trump administration, asking for intervention to curb this military expansion, which he claims violates the longstanding 1979 peace treaty, according to Middle East Eye and TRT Global.

During a recent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Netanyahu presented a list outlining various Egyptian military activities, stating, "what the Egyptians are doing in Sinai is very serious and we are very concerned." Israeli officials highlighted that these actions include the expansion of military infrastructure, such as underground facilities and extended runways for fighter jets, potentially laying the groundwork for offensive capabilities, according to AA.

Egypt, however, has characterized its troop presence as a measure to secure national borders against risks like terrorism and smuggling. An official statement reiterated that their military deployment is in compliance with the peace treaty, asserting, "Egypt has never violated a treaty or agreement in its history," as reported by AA and TRT Global.

Despite these reassurances, Israeli officials maintain that Egypt has not satisfactorily addressed the concerns raised via diplomatic channels, which has become a critical friction point as the ongoing conflict in Gaza escalates. With the situation shifting, both nations remain on high alert, and the US-led observation efforts in the region have reportedly reduced, complicating the monitoring of military movements, as outlined by Middle East Eye and AA.