An Egyptian official in Sinai has repudiated an Israeli report that Palestinian militant group Hamas has set up a rocket production line in the peninsula.
The report, published earlier today by Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post, said that Hamas erected the alleged production line in Sinai because they are certain Israel will not bomb any targets on Egyptian soil due to the potential impact on relations with Cairo.
"Israel has called on Cairo to increase its efforts to restore order in Sinai and prevent attacks, but the Egyptian military has held back from dismantling the Hamas infrastructure in the peninsula," the newspaper said. It also said that Israeli forces boosted their presence on the borders to defend the city of Eilat and neighboring areas.
"No one can ever bring in military tools or erect missile bases in Sinai. Egypt would not allow such a breach to its sovereignty," said the Egyptian source, who dismissed the Israeli report as false.
The official said that the Sinai area is completely under control, adding that Egypt and Israel have a peace treaty. He also highlighted the existence of UN peacekeeping forces in North Sinai to monitor the borders with Israel, adding that they would not be unaware of any such development.
Control over the Egyptian-Israeli border has been a sensitive issue for Israel since Hamas took over Gaza Strip in 2007. Israel has long complained of weapons smuggling to Hamas through underground tunnels dug from Sinai.
Translated from Al-Masry Al-Youm
