The Israeli government shut down its border crossing with Egypt Monday in response to a threat of a terrorist attack. Israeli authorities closed the border due to warnings of an «imminent» attack a<\/b>
The Israeli government shut down its border crossing with Egypt Monday in response to a threat of a terrorist attack.
Israeli authorities closed the border due to warnings of an \u201cimminent\u201d attack against tourists at Red Sea resorts in Egypt\u2019s Sinai Peninsula. Thousands of Israeli citizens were expected to travel to Sinai during Passover.
Israeli Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz warned of a potential \u201cterror attack\u201d against tourists in Sinai in a statement Monday.
Israel\u2019s border closure comes one day after attacks on two Coptic Christian churches in Egypt Sunday left 36 people dead. A rocket attack originating in Sinai exploded inside Israel just hours after the border closure. No injuries were reported. (RELATED: Dozens of Christians Killed And Wounded In Egyptian Church Attacks)
The closure will continue until April 18, and only affects Israeli citizens. Foreigners will be allowed to cross and Israeli citizens already in Egypt will be allowed to return. Israel\u2019s counter-terrorism bureau issued a warning to travelers heading to Sinai last month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent \u201ccondolences to the families of those who were murdered in yesterday\u2019s terrorists attacks in Egypt\u201d in a statement Monday. He wished \u201ca quick and full recovery\u201d to the wounded.
Israeli authorities warned of \u201cincreased activity by Islamic State militants\u201d in Sinai. The peninsula has been a major haven for ISIS, presenting a threat to both the Egyptian and Israeli governments. Authorities added that there is increased \u201cmotivation to carry out terror attacks in different arenas at this time\u201d due to ISIS\u2019s territorial losses in Iraq and Syria.
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