A newly released report from Israel’s Shin Bet shows a rise in terror attacks originating in the Sinai in 2012. In addition, the report reveals that five attempted infiltrations by terrorists were thwarted last year.
Ansar Jerusalem recently released a 52-minute video detailing the group’s attack from the Sinai into Israel on Sept. 21 that killed one Israeli soldier. The new video also sheds some light on the group’s formation.
Today Ansar Jerusalem released a video to jihadist forums in which it eulogizes Ibrahim Oweidah Nasser Bereikat, who died on Aug. 26, and shows the interrogation of a “spy” involved in his assassination.
Last Friday, Egyptian authorities arrested five jihadists near the border with Gaza who were planning to carry out attacks against tourist sites in the Sinai Peninsula.
Ansar Jerusalem has threatened to attack Israel in response to the killing of Abu al Walid al Maqdisi and Ashraf al Sabah.
Israeli intelligence believes that Ansar Jerusalem is responsible for the majority of the recent attacks emanating from the Sinai and that the group is increasing recruitment.
Egyptian authorities have reportedly arrested two Islamist militants in the Sinai, while Britain has reiterated its willingness to provide Egypt with military advice on operations against jihadists in the area.
The group said that three Egyptians trained for the operation, and were “armed with their personal Kalashnikovs, PKs, RPGs and hand grenades, and wearing their explosive belts.”
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