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IDF on high alert along southern border with Egypt
IDF forces stationed in the south of Israel and along the Israel-Egypt border remained on high alert last night, as intelligence indicated a viable terror threat in the area. A source in Military Intelligence said that another Islamic Jihad terror cell had left Gaza and intended to infiltrate into Israel through the Sinai Peninsula. Following intelligence that suggested an imminent threat in the area, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz ordered a reinforcement of military presence in the sector and set-up advanced technology systems to monitor the area.
The situation along the Israel-Egypt border has been sensitive since the Eilat terror attack on 18 August, which resulted in the deaths and eight Israelis and five Egyptian troops. Diplomatic relations between Israel and Egypt have also been fragile following this event, but efforts are being made by sides to improve relations, share intelligence and monitor the threat of terror cells leaving Gaza into Sinai and attempting to infiltrate Israel. In addition, progress is being made on the Israeli-Egypt border fence, which will be completed in 2012. However, until then army officials say that troops will need to be patrolling and on alert in the region. Due to the high state of alert, the IDF has also closed Roads 12 and 10, which run along the border with Egypt.
Cairo is also making considerable efforts to reinstate order in Sinai. Earlier this month Egypt launched Operation Eagle, a significant military operation in the Sinai Peninsula to root out al-Qaeda and Bedouin terrorists operating in the area. Israeli military officials were aware of the deployment and welcomed the initiative. Since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak the amount of weapons smuggled into Gaza, including advanced rockets and shoulder-launched anti-tank missiles, has increased. The Egyptian security forces are also expected to try and apprehend alleged Bedouin gangs that have been behind a series of attacks on the gas pipeline from Egypt to Israel. The pipeline has been attacked five times in the past six months