Israel charged today that Egypt has violated the disengagement agreement in the same manner as Syrian violations–by introducing more weapons than permitted into the limited armaments zone. According to Israeli sources, the Egyptians have introduced 12-130 mm. artillery pieces into the zone in addition to the 36 permitted under the disengagement accord with Israel. Egyptian soldiers, are also continuing the construction of missile launching sites in the limited forces zone, the sources said
There was no report, however, that a formal complaint has been lodged by Israel with the UN against the alleged Egyptian violations as was the case with similar violations by Syria. The latter has placed 90 tanks in the limited forces zone where a maximum of 75 is permitted and has also positioned 130 mm. artillery in the zone.
TERROR WAR MAY BE INTENSIFIED
Defense Minister Shimon Peres said today that Egypt was trying once again to follow the policy it sought to achieve before the present disengagement accord was reached, an Israeli withdrawal in exchange for nothing in return from Egypt. Addressing Labor Party members of the Moshavim group, Peres warned that Israel may face an intensification of the Arab terror war, resulting from competition among the various terror groups and the financial and moral support these groups get from Arab countries.
Peres also cited statements from remote Arab countries that they would send arms and manpower to fight against Israel. He added Israel would not be idle in the face of such proposals from Arab countries whose leaders may think they are secure from Israeli retaliation. Peres was understood to be referring to Iran which, according to a Teheran newspaper, will give full support to the Arabs if there is a new Mideast war. Peres also said that the Western world was now providing two-thirds of the arms sent to the Arab states. He said that included supplies from Britain, France and the United States.
ACTIONS SEEN AS PROVOCATIONS
It was reported today that the Syrians are massing heavy snow removal and de-icing equipment preparatory to clearing the road they built on Mt. Hermon which Israel says was completed after the disengagement agreement and in violation thereof. The Syrians apparently intend to keep the road to the strategic summit of the mountain clear in all weather.
An Austrian contingent of the United Nations Disengagement Observers Force (UNDOF) has abandoned most of its positions on Mt. Hermon due to severe weather conditions. Israeli circles expressed surprise since the weather has been excellent for the past two days and the Austrian troops are equipped with show tractors.
Some sources here said today that the reported Syrian and Egyptian disengagement violations represented a concerted action by Cairo and Damascus to see how far they can go to provoke an Israeli response and to maintain tension on the disengagement lines.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
