ISIS in the Sinai: Israel's fear of an offensive towards the Israeli border
Israel is expressing concern regarding several possible scenarios following the severe events and battles between the Egyptian army and armed forces of ISIS. According to reports from Egypt, there are over 100 dead – it is yet unclear how much on each side
Or Heller
| 02/07/2015
The kidnapping of an Egyptian APC and heading toward the Israeli border in order to carry out an attack – that is the current fear of Israel, following the fighting between the armed forces of Egypt and ISIS militants yesterday in the Sinai Peninsula. According to reports, hundreds of militants belonging to an organization affiliated with ISIS opened fire at a number of Egyptian army positions and police forces stationed the peninsula. There are about 100 deaths as a result of the gunfire, but it is yet unclear how many are ISIS members and how are members of the Egyptian security forces.
IDF forces in the south, around Kerem Shalom, are on high alert. The Kerem Shalom border crossing was closed following the events of last night, but was opened again after a few hours.
In Israel, there have been estimates saying that Hamas and ISIS, despite the friction, are actually cooperating against Egypt in the Sinai. Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, said at the Intelligence and Special Units Conference, organized by the IICC Association and Israel Defense, that regarding the relations between Hamas and ISIS in Sinai, "there is cooperation between them in arms smuggling and terrorist attacks. The Egyptians know this, (and) the Saudis. However, in Gaza, ISIS challenges Hamas. But there is a common ground against Jews, in Israel or abroad. "
Director of Political-Military Affairs at the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Gilad, expressed concern that the two organizations will cooperate against Israel. He made the remarks in an interview with the Army Radio.
Meanwhile in Egypt, despite government claims that the battles are over, there are still reports of missions of the Egyptian air force, occasionally attacking terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.
Israel is expressing concern regarding several possible scenarios following the severe events and battles between the Egyptian army and armed forces of ISIS. According to reports from Egypt, there are over 100 dead – it is yet unclear how much on each side
The kidnapping of an Egyptian APC and heading toward the Israeli border in order to carry out an attack – that is the current fear of Israel, following the fighting between the armed forces of Egypt and ISIS militants yesterday in the Sinai Peninsula. According to reports, hundreds of militants belonging to an organization affiliated with ISIS opened fire at a number of Egyptian army positions and police forces stationed the peninsula. There are about 100 deaths as a result of the gunfire, but it is yet unclear how many are ISIS members and how are members of the Egyptian security forces.
IDF forces in the south, around Kerem Shalom, are on high alert. The Kerem Shalom border crossing was closed following the events of last night, but was opened again after a few hours.
In Israel, there have been estimates saying that Hamas and ISIS, despite the friction, are actually cooperating against Egypt in the Sinai. Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, said at the Intelligence and Special Units Conference, organized by the IICC Association and Israel Defense, that regarding the relations between Hamas and ISIS in Sinai, "there is cooperation between them in arms smuggling and terrorist attacks. The Egyptians know this, (and) the Saudis. However, in Gaza, ISIS challenges Hamas. But there is a common ground against Jews, in Israel or abroad. "
Director of Political-Military Affairs at the Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Amos Gilad, expressed concern that the two organizations will cooperate against Israel. He made the remarks in an interview with the Army Radio.
Meanwhile in Egypt, despite government claims that the battles are over, there are still reports of missions of the Egyptian air force, occasionally attacking terrorist targets in the Gaza Strip.
