Israel has approved Egypt’s request to bolster the latter nation’s military presence in the Sinai Peninsula. Photo: Kaidor via Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Israel has approved Egypt’s request to bolster the latter nation’s military presence in the Sinai Peninsula following a wave of attacks this week perpetrated by an Islamic State-affiliated terror group, according to Israel’s Channel 2.

The 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt stipulates that both countries must approve any extra military forces on either side of the Sinai border. Additionally, Israel on Wednesday closed its two border crossings with Egypt and bolstered its own forces in the region.

According to report in the Egyptian newspaper el-Watan, Islamic State-affiliated terrorists used sophisticated weaponry in their recent attacks on Egyptian forces, including the Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missile. This forced Egypt’s military to use F-16 aircraft in their counterattack against the terrorists, instead of Apache helicopters.

The Sinai terrorists launched a wave of deadly terror attacks on Egyptian forces on Wednesday, killing dozens of soldiers. The Egyptian military says it has killed 100 terrorists in counterattacks. Media reports on Thursday indicate that an additional 23 terrorists were killed in airstrikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, “We see in front of our eyes IS (Islamic State) acting with extraordinary cruelty both in our northern border and at our southern border.”

“Our hearts are with the Egyptian people. We send our condolences to the Egyptian government and the families of those who were killed in battle with the cruel terror,” added Netanyahu.