INTRO
Our mission is to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms.
Article II of Annex I to the Treaty of Peace establishes four security zones: three in the Sinai in Egypt and one in Israel along the international border. Limitations on military forces and equipment within each zone are stipulated in Annex I to the Treaty.
OVERVIEW
To execute the mission, the Treaty Parties assigned to the MFO the following tasks:
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
DETAIL
On 1 September 2005, the MFO took on the additional responsibility of monitoring the deployment of Border Guards along the Egyptian side of the border between Egypt and Gaza, in the northermost part of Zone C. The MFO monitors the Border Guard Force by verifying that the deployment is consistent with the terms agreed between Egypt and Israel (as amended on 11 July 2007 and 30 April 2018), including the stipulated number, characteristics and location of personnel, weapons, equipment and infrastructure.
In addition, the MFO has the responsibility of verifying other activities agreed between the Treaty Parties and works to ensure an effective Liaison System exists to progress dialogue and resolve problems between them.
During its years of operation, the MFO has faithfully served Egypt and Israel in managing their security relationship according to the terms of the Treaty of Peace and other agreed arrangements. This has been possible largely because our neutrality and objectivity have never been in doubt. In responding to the needs of the Parties, this has included taking on additional responsibilities, adjusting our mission as necessary to ensure its continuing effectiveness, and providing timely, detailed, and comprehensive reporting on our findings.
Through the Liaison System envisaged by the Treaty of Peace, the MFO diligently fosters and facilitates dialogue between the Parties and successfully serves as an intermediary between them. Constant dialogue takes place among the Force Commander and the Chiefs of the Egyptian and Israeli Liaison Systems. At the working level, military officers from the Force Commander's staff meet daily with their counterparts in the Egyptian Liaison Agency with International Organizations (LAWIO) and the Israel Defense Force International Cooperation Division (IDFICD). Frequent discussions also take place between the Director General, his representatives in Cairo and Tel Aviv, and responsible officials in the Defense and Foreign Ministries of Egypt and Israel. These exchanges serve to reassure the Parties that the Treaty of Peace and related arrangements are being effectively monitored and to maintain confidence in the structure of the peace. Annual Trilateral Meetings in Rome provide opportunities for the Parties to exchange views at a senior level on the operations and finances of the MFO and review the past year's record of performance.
Since its inception, the MFO has matured as an organization, reduced its operating costs, improved its efficiency, and performed its peacekeeping mission with agility, adaptability, professionalism, and pride.
The continued success of the Organization is based on the active support of the Treaty Parties, Egypt and Israel, Troop-Contributing States whose contingents make up the Force, and Donor States.