Border security

Israel Boosts Defense Against IS

The Israel-Sinai border has become an area of concern as terror organizations, including those affiliated to the so-called Islamic State group (IS), have solidified their presence and created instability in the region. The threat of IS in the Sinai has increased further over the past year, evidenced by the recent downing of an Egyptian civilian aircraft in the Sinai Desert. 

According to the Jerusalem Post, a militant close to the IS affiliate in Egypt's Sinai peninsula said the group plans to carry out a "big operation" in southern Israel, which will include an attack on the resort city of Eilat.

Meanwhile, Abu al-Ayna al-Ansari, a Salafist movement senior official in the Gaza Strip, said  Israel and the US are among IS's chief targets, stating: "The Islamic State educates its people that Israel and the United States are the leaders of the infidels." 

He said that Wilayat Sinai, the Egyptian branch of IS, "will be the pioneers in this confrontation with Israel." Ansari vowed that "it is only a question of time when there will be a big operation in Eilat and in the south of Israel."