Egyptian security uncovered a cell of some 20 extremists allegedly planning attacks in south Sinai, a police source said.
The source added that the plot targeted Israeli tourists in the region as well as multinational forces. The extremists were planning for the upcoming Muslim Eid al-Adha holiday, set to begin on Tuesday, according to the source.
The militants were arrested in their homes in three different cities in Sinai. Authorities also seized explosives in the raids. Unconfirmed reports suggest those arrested may be affiliated with the Gaza-based militant cell The Army of Islam.
Police reports added that Israeli intelligence helped Egyptian security identify the suspects’ whereabouts.
Egyptian-Israeli intelligence cooperation was broached in a 10 November Time magazine story. According to the piece, Egyptian intelligence supported the Israeli military operation to kill a Palestinian commander in The Army of Islam cell.
The assassinated man, Mohammed Nammam, was a senior commander in the militant group thought to have ties with Al-Qaeda. He was allegedly plotting an attack against US forces based in Sinai.
Bedouins administering tourists camps in the Nuweiba-Taba area told Al-Masry Al-Youm increased security measures were implemented, particularly at checkpoints.
Some related the heightened measures to typical security procedures ahead of holidays.
Others said the increased security is due to the fact that trucks laden with goods were recently seized on a Sinai road near Ras Sidr. The seizure, however, is thought to be an act of robbery rather than terrorism.
A string of terrorist attacks hit south Sinai in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
The Multinational Forces in question is a peacekeeping contingent based in Sinai, created as part of the 1979 peace accords between Egypt and Israel.
