Gantz orders IDF reinforcement in South after terror alert

Islamic Jihad terrorist cell is believed to have left Gaza and entered Sinai; defense establishment informs Egypt of alert

Hanan Greenberg|Published: 08.29.11 , 08:21

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has ordered a reinforcement of army presence near the southern Gaza Strip and the Israel-Egypt border following a terrorist alert indicating that the Islamic Jihad was planning to perpetrate an attack in the area.

It is estimated that the terrorist cell has already left the Gaza Strip to Sinai, which has become a hotbed of terrorist activity in recent months. The defense establishment has also passed on details of the alert to Egypt.

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Army officers stressed again on Monday that they view Hamas as the responsible party for any terrorist activity in Gaza or that originates in Gaza.

Gantz's directive was issued after some tense two weeks in the sector following the terrorist attack in which eight Israelis were killed.

After the attack, the IDF had confirmed that despite an alert that came from the Shin Bet, it preferred to open Highway 12, which runs along the border with Egypt towards Eilat, especially in light of the estimate that terrorists would not try to infiltrate the border in daytime. Since the attack, the highway has been closed.

Elior Levy contributed to the report