Security sources said Egyptian police and security forces raided three
towns in central and northern Sinai. They said the operations targeted
suspected insurgency strongholds, believed involved in the planning of
attacks on Israelis and international peacekeepers.
"We believe the plots were conceived in the Gaza Strip," a security
source said.
The sources said about 30 people, most of them Bedouins, have already
been arrested. They said the detainees were accused of planning to strike
Israeli tourists and personnel of the Multi-National Force in Sinai.
Egyptian security forces were also said to have seized explosives and
other equipment in El Arish and nearby towns. The security operation was
said to have been based on Israeli intelligence that the Army of Islam had
deployed a seven-man squad in Sinai. The Al Qaida-aligned Army of Islam has
been based in the Gaza Strip.
"These reports are unfounded," North Sinai Gov. Murad Mowafy said.
"Things are normal."
In November 2010, the Army of Islam warned that it was planning to
abduct Israelis. Previously, Egypt reported the capture of a large amount of
surface-to-air missiles, artillery shells, machine guns and explosives
believed headed for the Gaza Strip.
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