Egyptian forces raid Jihad cells in Sinai

Large Egyptian army forces are fighting Jihad operatives in the Sinai Peninsula Tuesday as Israel maintains its high alertness level on the southern border following an alert on a cell said to be comprised of more than 10 terrorists. 

Egyptian daily al-Masry al-Youm quoted Egyptian security sources as saying that forces continue to raid terrorist strongholds in Sinai as part of a special operation on the event of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. The operation includes some 1,500 soldiers as well as tanks and armored vehicles.
The newspaper noted that Egyptian security forces have raised the level of alert for fear of acts of violence during the holiday. They are scanning the border area, Rafah, El-Arish, Sheikh Zweid and are working alongside Bedouin tribal leaders who are trying to convince the Jihad operatives to abandon violence.

Meanwhile, Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai warned that terrorists might take the opportunity of Eid al-Fitr to carry out attacks on Israel. "The Defense establishment has received a warning that a terror cell in Sinai, comprised of more than 10 terrorists, is to attempt to carry out an attack," he said. "The Defense establishment is taking action to thwart this attempt."
 

Egyptian military post in Sinai (Photo: AFP)

  On Monday, it was reported that Egypt and Israel have agreed to increase the number of Egyptian soldiers in the peninsula's areas B and C. The report also suggested that the sides are negotiating additional deployment in the region.

Meanwhile, a high ranking official at Egypt's Higher Military Council said Cairo is considering amending clauses in the 1979 peace treaty which concern the deployment and scope of forces in Sinai in an effort to boost security and as part of Egypt's post-revolution foreign policy.

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On Monday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen Benny Gantz ordered a reinforcement of military presence in the Israel-Egypt border and the southern Gaza Strip following information suggesting an Islamic Jihad cell posed an imminent threat in the area.

Military sources say that Hamas is trying to avoid an open conflict with Israel and will likely not rush to carry out a second terrorist attack. Israel, on its part, is sending messages to all relevant parties that its policy of restraint will not go on forever and that additional terror attacks will be met with a harsh response.

by Roee Nahmias taken from http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4115617,00.html