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Kiwi soldiers have performed a heartfelt haka for Australian soldiers departing the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peacekeeping operation in the Sinai, Egypt, this week.
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The MFO is an enduring peacekeeping mission to ensure the prolonged security of the Sinai as part of the ongoing peace between Egypt and Israel.
"The mission of the MFO 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," the operation's website reads.
"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."
WATCH ? A powerful haka by our contingent at the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Sinai, Egypt as a mark of respect and to send off the Australian contingent.
Comradeship between the Anzac family is strong and enduring ???? #Force4NZ // @DeptDefence pic.twitter.com/dcMiaKCM4p— NZ Defence Force (@NZDefenceForce) August 2, 2021
Australia first contributed troops to the MFO in 1982 through to 1986, and has subsequently undertaken MFO deployments in 1993 and 2021. According to the MFO website, defence members are posted to the Sinai for six months.
The heartfelt tribute from Australia's neighbours comes as Australia sent six defence members from the ADF's operating base in Dubai to support the MFO combat the ongoing pandemic by undertaking COVID-19 contact tracing and testing.
Senior Medical Officer Joint Task Force 633 Lieutenant Colonel Steven Adamson noted that the ADF members will support the MFO's COVID-19 containment strategies.
“The highly trained ADF medical team has tested the MFO population and identified new COVID 19 cases,” LTCOL Adamson said to the Department of Defence.
“The team will provide advice to the MFO on building an enduring strategy of how to keep the virus contained through a combination of surveillance, testing and contact tracing.”
[Related: ADF sends medical contingent to support peacekeeping force in Egypt]
