Egypt is beefing up security in Sinai to uproot terrorist organizations operating in the peninsula, after the Grad missile attack against Eilat last week and increased activity by jihadists. Egypt's "Maan" news agency reports that Cairo intends to strengthen its sovereignty in Sinai, including in the main towns of Rafiah, El Arish and Sheik Zuweid. The Egyptian government also wants to improve protection of the natural gas pipelines in the area, after repeated attacks have halted exports to Israel and other countries since the fall of the Mubarak government in February 2011.
The commander of Egyptian forces in northern Sinai said that the Ministry of Interior had sent 150 officers and special forces to Sinai, together with dozens of armored vehicles. He said that another main purpose of the upcoming operation will be to protect the road from El Arish to Rafiah and the border crossings into Gaza and Israel, as well as the border with Israel. Forces in Rafiah and Sheik Zuweid have been strongly reinforced to combat both terrorist and criminal activity.
Egyptian security sources said that Jerusalem has agreed to the sending of an additional seven army battalions to Sinai, above the limits set in the 1979 peace treaty. The Egyptians want to discuss with Israel changes in security arrangements set out in the peace treaty, which they claim has rendered northern Sinai ungovernable due to the restrictions on military operations.
Meanwhile Israel is examining whether two, not one, Grad rockets were fired against Eilat last week. The review is based on rocket fragments collected at the scene. The Israel Police have been conducting widespread searches for rocket fragments, following reports by residents that they saw several explosions. The defense establishment is also connecting information about the intentions of terrorist organizations in Sinai to launch more attacks against Israel.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 8, 2012
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