By JOANNA PARASZCZUK, HERB KEINON

"We'll cut off the hands of any aggressor," SCAF member threatens; Israel responds by reiterating commitment to the peace treaty.

The remarks came in the wake of Israeli calls for a military operation in Sinai after Friday's attack on the Sinai border that killed an IDF soldier and wounded another.

In response, an Israeli government official on Monday reiterated Prime Minister Netanyahu's desire to maintain strong relations with Egypt, saying Israel's approach to dealings with Cairo
has "always been very measured and cautious, because we are committed to the peace treaty."

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A member of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces has warned that it would "cut off the hands" of any domestic or foreign aggressor in Sinai.

The official,who refused to be named, accused Israel of attempting to provoke Egypt,
and said his country's armed forces were dealing with the matter "wisely and quietly", the al-Masry al-Youm newspaper reported late Sunday night.The remarks came in the wake of Israeli calls for a military operation in Sinai after Friday's attack on the Sinai border that killed an IDF soldier and wounded another.

The official, who said Israel had threatened a military operation, noted that the Egyptian leadership is monitoring all of the recent developments on the border with Israel.

Egypt would not allow "a single inch" of Sinai to be harmed, the official added.

In response, an Israeli government official on Monday reiterated Prime Minister Netanyahu's desire to maintain strong relations with Egypt, saying Israel's approach to dealings with Cairo has "always been very measured and cautious, because we are committed to the peace treaty."

Alluding to the tension over Sinai, the Israeli official stated that at "this sensitive time" a "cautious and measured" approach is the most conducive to maintaining the peace."

Intelligence Agencies Minister Dan Meridor said that he was certain that keeping the agreement was in the objective interest of both Israel and Egypt, and a cornerstone of peace in the Middle East.

Hinting at the impact the abrogation of the treaty would have on Israel's ability to sign any other accords in the future, Meridor said Israel wanted "more agreements with more partners," and as such wanted to ensure that the agreements that were signed were kept so it would be possible to sign other accords.

Meridor said Egypt wanted and received sovereignty over Sinai, and "we believe they will do what is necessary to retain tranquility." He said it was clear that there were groups in Sinai who wanted to disrupt the peace, and that the Egyptians needed to do what it takes to stop them.




http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=286097



Photos: Egyptian tank in Sinai, IDF chief Benny Gantz tours scene of recent border attack