Israel Warned of New Sinai Attack in Coming Days
Israel has been warned that a terrorist cell linked to the Islamic Jihad and based in the Sinai Peninsula may try to carry out a series of attacks over the coming days, Home Front Minister Matan Vilnai said on Tuesday.
The cell, which Vilnai said comprises at least 10 militants, has been preparing for such attacks for some time and may exploit the Eid al-Fitr holiday as “the right time” to carry out their plot.
Israeli forces will continue to remain on high alert along the border, in an operation coordinated with their Egyptian counterparts, Vilnai said.
The defense establishment is on guard to thwart attacks in Eilat bay or near the security fence on Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip. In addition, security forces are on alert for any infiltration attempts. Highways 10 and 12 in southern Israel will remain closed off to civilian traffic due to the terror threats.
The independent Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reported Tuesday that Egyptian security forces have launched a widespread operation to crack down on terrorist elements in the Sinai Peninsula.
More than 1,500 Egyptian soldiers have been deployed in the peninsula backed by armored vehicles and tanks to comb the areas around Rafah, Al-Arish and Sheikh Zwaid, according to various Arab media reports.
For more, go to Haaretz.com
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