Why Did Israel Give Back Sinai: A Historic Decision

The Sinai Peninsula was initially occupied by Israeli forces in June 1967 during the Six-Day War. However, it was subsequently returned to Egypt in 1982 as part of the peace treaty between the two nations, which had been concluded in 1979. This significant territorial transfer aimed at fostering peace and stability in the region. As of September 23, 2023, the Sinai Peninsula remains under Egyptian sovereignty.

One significant aspect of the historic accords signed between Israel and Egypt was the restoration of the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. Israel had gained control of the Sinai Peninsula during the June 1967 War, and this territorial transfer was a pivotal element of the peace negotiations between the two nations. Eventually, these negotiations culminated in the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty on March 26, 1979. As of April 25, 2023, the Sinai Peninsula remains under Egyptian sovereignty, marking a significant milestone in the region’s history and a lasting testament to diplomatic efforts to achieve peace.

The question of why Israel did not retain control of the Sinai Peninsula can be answered by examining the factors that led to its withdrawal as part of the Camp David Accords. There were two primary reasons behind this decision. Firstly, Israel considered the Sinai Peninsula to be militarily indefensible in the long term due to its vast and challenging geography. Secondly, the terms of the withdrawal agreement achieved essentially the same strategic objectives that Israel would have achieved by maintaining control of the territory. This combination of military vulnerability and the achievement of goals through diplomacy ultimately drove Israel’s decision to relinquish the Sinai Peninsula.