Egyptian security reinforcements coincide with Israel's approval of the Rafah attack. Two Egyptian security sources said that Cairo sent about 40 tanks and armored personnel carriers to northeastern Sinai in the past two weeks.
The Egyptian military moves come within the framework of a series of measures to enhance security on its borders with the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes bombed Rafah on Friday, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army to prepare to evacuate the displaced. The military operation in Rafah will begin after the completion of a "large-scale evacuation" of civilians from the city.