Photo by: REUTERS/Lior Grundman
GIYUS
It's summer time and it's the high season in the beautiful resort town of Eilat. Sadly, the peace and quiet of the southern most city in Israel, was abruptly broken today as a chain of terror attacks claimed the lives of at least 6 people and injured tens of civilians.
In a well planned attack the terrorists fired shots at 2 buses and civilian car, assaulted Israeli soldiers, and fired mortars and an anti-tank missile.
Items are seen aboard a bus after it was ambushed (Image: Reuters)
Defense minister Barack commented on the attack saying ""This is a serious terrorist attack in a number of locations. The event reflects the weakening of Egyptian control over Sinai and the expansion of the activity of terrorist forces. "
The violence near the resort city of Eilat stoked concerns about growing lawlessness in the neighboring Egyptian Sinai Peninsula following the ouster in February of Egypt's longtime autocratic leader, Hosni Mubarak.
Such anarchy is the perfect breeding ground for radical Islam. Today's terror attack is proof of that.
The beautiful town of el Arish in Sinai is known for its beaches andluxury resorts . But in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, el Arish is becomingknown for something far different from tourism. A well-armed jihadist group is making its presence felt on the dusty streets here, intimidating opponents and demanding Egypt becomes an Islamist state.
If the Egyptian authorities do not move quickly to crush the extremists and regain control, the Sinai Peninsula could soon become a separate Islamic emirate run by Salafis, Hamas and Al-Qaeda.
The Arab revolution is creating fast paced changes in the Arab world. Sadly these fast paced changes will not lead to democracy and freedom for the Arab people.
Instead radical Islamic groups are quick to hijack the winds of changeaiming to create Islamic regimes instead of democratic ones.
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08/18/2011 16:33 THE JERUSALEM POST
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At least 6 dead, 25 hurt in terror attacks near Eilat
By YAAKOV KATZ08/18/2011 16:33 THE JERUSALEM POST
Talkbacks (9)
At least six people were reported dead and at least 25 injured in a three-stage terrorist attack along Israel’s border with Egypt on Thursday, which began when terrorists opened fire at an Egged bus traveling on Road 12 near Eilat.
Several minutes later, a number of bombs went off next to an IDF patrol traveling along the border with Egypt. There were also reports of mortar fire from Egypt into Israel. The terrorists apparently then moved on to another spot and fired an anti-tank missile at another vehicle, injuring a number of passengers.
RELATED:
Egypt security sources: Bus ambush unlikely to have come from here
Barak: IDF will hunt down perpetrators of Eilat attack
Magen David Adom said that terrorists attacked a bus and a private vehicle 20 kilometers north of the site of the first incident. Paramedics said five people there were mortally wounded in that attack.
The casualties were evacuated to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. A number of soldiers were among the casualties
IDF soldier target, hit 7 terrorists involved in attacks
IDF soldiers targeted and hit seven terrorists involved in the attacks, according to IDF spokeswoman Avital Leibovich.
“This seems like a coordinated attack,” a senior IDF officer said. There was also speculation that there may have been more than one terror cell coordinating the attacks.
Commander of the IDF’s Edom Division Brig.-Gen. Tamir Yidayi arrived at the scene of the bus attack and set up a command post to coordinate efforts to capture the perpetrators. The IDF suspects that the terrorists infiltrated into Israel after crossing into Egypt possible from the Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Egyptian Military launched a massive operation to capture terrorist cells operating in the Sinai.
Due to concern that terrorists had infiltrated into Israel from Egypt, security officers in Israeli communities along the border were ordered to raise the level of alert and to tell residents to remain inside their home.
Authorities set up an emergency telephone number for those affected by the attacks near Eilat: 1255175.
Yaakov Lappin and JPost.com staff contributed to this report
Several minutes later, a number of bombs went off next to an IDF patrol traveling along the border with Egypt. There were also reports of mortar fire from Egypt into Israel. The terrorists apparently then moved on to another spot and fired an anti-tank missile at another vehicle, injuring a number of passengers.
RELATED:
Egypt security sources: Bus ambush unlikely to have come from here
Barak: IDF will hunt down perpetrators of Eilat attack
Magen David Adom said that terrorists attacked a bus and a private vehicle 20 kilometers north of the site of the first incident. Paramedics said five people there were mortally wounded in that attack.
The casualties were evacuated to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. A number of soldiers were among the casualties
IDF soldier target, hit 7 terrorists involved in attacks
IDF soldiers targeted and hit seven terrorists involved in the attacks, according to IDF spokeswoman Avital Leibovich.
“This seems like a coordinated attack,” a senior IDF officer said. There was also speculation that there may have been more than one terror cell coordinating the attacks.
Commander of the IDF’s Edom Division Brig.-Gen. Tamir Yidayi arrived at the scene of the bus attack and set up a command post to coordinate efforts to capture the perpetrators. The IDF suspects that the terrorists infiltrated into Israel after crossing into Egypt possible from the Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Egyptian Military launched a massive operation to capture terrorist cells operating in the Sinai.
Due to concern that terrorists had infiltrated into Israel from Egypt, security officers in Israeli communities along the border were ordered to raise the level of alert and to tell residents to remain inside their home.
Authorities set up an emergency telephone number for those affected by the attacks near Eilat: 1255175.
Yaakov Lappin and JPost.com staff contributed to this report
