Egypt move troops, armored vehicles to Sinai-Gaza border

IDF says military activity coordinated with security forces, approved by senior echelons to deal with challenges.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JTA
Egyptian soldiers at the Rafah crossing to Gaza 370 (R) (photo credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters)
Egyptian soldiers at the Rafah crossing to Gaza 370 (R)
(photo credit: Ibraheem Abu Mustafa / Reuters)
Egypt, amid major unrest in the country, has moved troops and armored vehicles to the Sinai-Gaza border area in coordination with Israel.
An army spokeswoman said that "the Egyptian military activity in Sinai is coordinated with security forces [in Israel] and has been approved by the senior political echelons in Israel, in order to deal with security challenges in Sinai, which pose a threat to both countries."
The movement on Tuesday comes as the Egyptian military issued an ultimatum to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, calling on him to step down or face an escalation of the protests against his government. Millions of Egyptians already have taken to the streets to protest Morsi’s rule.
Under the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, Egypt must coordinate troop movement in the Sinai with Israel.