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Egyptian drones spying on Israel – report
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Douglas Davis Dec. 22, 2003
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Israeli officials are expected to protest Egyptian drones that are being used to spy on Israeli defense facilities when Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher visits this week, London's Sunday Times reported.
Amid growing military tensions, Israel is reported to have threatened to shoot down the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which have been detected in recent weeks over the nuclear research facility at Nahal Sorek and the missile test site at Palmahim, south of Tel Aviv.
The flights contravene the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt and are said to be fueling the growing distrust between Israel and Egypt over a military build-up.
"We'll raise the urgent issue of their spy flights for sure," an Israeli source told the Times. "However, we know that they may stop them only when we intercept the intruders, and that will not take long."
A military source conceded, "we're worried about them," adding that "they have the nerve to send their UAVs over is a worrying sign."
Israel's worries are said to reflect broader concern about Egypt's growing military strength and President Hosni Mubarak's declining health.
Jerusalem reportedly asked Washington not to supply Egypt with advanced F-15 jets or "smart" JDAM (joint direct attack munition) bombs. After being shown intelligence which revealed that Israel was the "enemy" in all of Egypt's recent war games, the US froze Cairo's request.
The Times also noted that while the Egyptians are conducting reconnaissance missions using drones, Israel's Ofek-5 spy satellite observes every inch of Egyptian territory.
Israeli concerns are said to be compounded by the uncertainty over the health of 75-year-old Mubarak, who was forced to interrupt a speech last month when he became ill.
"Mubarak is committed to peace with Israel," one Israeli politician told the paper. "But it is not certain that his successor will be equally committed."
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