Knesset Member Tzvi Sukkot appealed directly to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday following reports that Egypt’s military plans to conduct live-fire exercises just 100 meters from Israel’s southern border. The lawmaker demanded immediate intervention, calling the development dangerous and citing concerns about weapons smuggling and a military buildup that exceeds existing balances.
Sukkot’s appeal came after security coordinators in communities near the border received alerts that the Egyptian military is expected to conduct a series of military drills this week, including live-fire exercises close to the Israeli border. In his letter, Sukkot emphasized that “Egyptian military activity with live fire right next to the international border raises serious questions about Israel’s preparedness and could affect the security of residents in the area.”
The Knesset member referenced lessons from the October 7 attacks and warned against relying solely on assessments of intentions while ignoring actual military buildup: “Reality demands a more sober approach to prevent the formation of another security conception.”
Meanwhile, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Boaz Bismuth announced that during the security briefing scheduled for Tuesday, the committee will extensively discuss the drills Egypt’s military is conducting near the border. During the discussions, Bismuth will demand answers and clarifications from IDF representatives regarding the possible implications and security risks posed by these exercises.