JERUSALEM: The Israeli government urged its nationals to immediately leave Egypt s Sinai Peninsula Wednesday, saying there was a high risk of an attack there targeting Israeli tourists. There have been serious alerts over the past couple of weeks of possible terrorist attacks targeting Israeli tourists in the Sinai and we call on them to return home immediately, Danny Arditi, the head of the government s anti-terrorism bureau, told public radio.
Police also intensified efforts to detect five unidentified militants believed to be carrying explosives and plotting attacks against foreigners inside the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, Maj. Mohammed Qabeel said.
Authorities received a tip through confessions by suspected militants currently in police custody about the five fugitives and their plot two days ago, Qabeel said. According to Brig. Gen. Hossam El-Serfi, hundreds of Israeli tourists started leaving the Sinai through the Taba border crossing following instructions from Israeli authorities not to travel to the popular vacation destination. Police tripled the number of check points on the way leading to south Sinai resorts including Sharm El-Sheikh, Taba and Dahab.
Though other security officials in Cairo privately said no security alert was in effect, El-Serfi said police and anti-terrorism troops were deployed around major hotels in the Sinai.
Authorities also increased the number of ambulances and doctors at major hospitals in the region, Said Essa, head of emergency section of south Sinai hospitals, said.
Egypt s Sinai Peninsula, popular with Israeli tourists, has seen several deadly attacks during the past several years. On April 24, 20 people were killed and 90 wounded when three suicide bombings ripped through the popular Red Sea resort of Dahab during peak holiday season. Some 70 people were also killed in multiple bombings against the resort of Sharm El-Sheikh in July last year and another 34 people died in attacks further up the Red Sea coast in October 2004. Agencies
