JERUSALEM: Militants in the Sinai Peninsula are already plotting their next attack in the popular resort area, an Israeli anti-terrorism expert said Tuesday, a day after a triple bombing killed at least 24 people there.
* Brig. Gen. Elkana Har Nof, an official in the prime minister s counterterrorism department, said the Red Sea coast area is a desirable target because it is popular with Israeli and Western tourists, and important for the economy of pro-Western Egypt.
* The coast combines all the elements that are a target, especially for global jihad, he told Israel s Army Radio, referring to militant Islamic groups such as Al-Qaeda.
* Har Nof said international terrorist groups have recruited members of the local Bedouin community with cash.
* Today you don t know which Bedouins are drafted, connected to the global Jihad, he said. If they flood him with money, the nice Bedouin … tomorrow morning can become a terrorist Bedouin.
* He said Egypt has done a big job cracking down on militants, but more work remains.
* I don t think they cleaned out all of them, and new members have been drafted, and therefore Sinai remains a target, he said. I don t see this issue evaporating and disappearing quickly. After this attack, they are already planning the next one.
* No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings Monday, but Al-Qaeda involvement is suspected. AP
