Multinational Force and Observers (MFO)
- Duration
- 6 March 1982 - 1 May 1995
- Military personnel
- 2.622
- Fatalities
- 1
- Decorations
- none
During the Six-Day War in June 1967, Israel seized the Sinai from Egypt. On 26 March 1979 in the American Camp David, Israel agreed to withdraw from the Sinai under UN supervision in exchange for partial demilitarisation of the peninsula and unrestricted shipping through the Straits of Tiran and the Suez Canal.
Mandate for the MFO
The Soviet Union, however, refused to agree to the posting of a new peace force. Anticipating this response, the US had already made it clear that it would seek a multinational alternative. On 17 July 1981, Israel and Egypt signed an accord in which they agreed to the setting up of the MFO. The mission was paid for by Egypt, Israel and the US. The MFO’s mandate was in effect a bilateral agreement between the states of Israel and Egypt. Broadly speaking, the MFO was to oversee the observance of the territorial and military stipulations in the Camp David agreements and prevent any violations. The MFO deployed its troops between 10 and 20 March 1982. The MFO was headed by a director-general who was based in Rome.
Egypt and Israel divided the Sinai into 4 zones running from north to south. The Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peace force was to be stationed in the zone bordering on the Egyptian-Israeli border.