Context
Egypt started a massive military campaign against al-Qaeda and Beduin fighters on Sunday to restore peace in the Sinai Peninsula. The area has devolved into chaos after the revolution earlier this year. Around 1,000 troops and several hundred armored vehicles have reportedly taken up positions close to Rafah and El-Arish over the weekend.
Israeli officials said they had been informed of the operation, called Operation Eagle, and hoped that it would result in a crackdown on arms smuggling into Gaza. Reports indicate the flow of arms has increased significantly since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in February.
