Gantz orders bolstering of IDF troops over terror warning

IDF chief issues directive after intelligence received that Islamic Jihad is planning terror attack near Gaza; details transferred to Egypt.

By YAAKOV KATZ
Benny Gantz 311 (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
Benny Gantz 311
(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz decided Monday morning to significantly beef up military forces along Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip and Egypt in wake of intelligence information that Palestinian terrorists were planning a large attack against Israel.
According to the intelligence warning, Islamic Jihad terrorists were plotting the attack. Israel has in the past said that it views Hamas as responsible for all terror that originates in the Gaza Strip.
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The IDF updated the Egyptian military about the decision early Monday morning.
The order came almost two weeks after eight people were killed in a three-stage terrorist attack along Israel’s border with Egypt.
Last week, Gantz instituted new defensive measures along Israel's border with Egypt, in the wake of intelligence indicating that additional Palestinian terror groups were planning attacks like the one carried out on April 18 by the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC).
Gantz's orders went into effect Wednesday afternoon, and included a bolstering of defensive measures along the border with Egypt as well as a stronger emphasis on collection of intelligence by the IDF in Gaza as well as in Sinai in an effort to locate and track terrorists that may be planning attacks against Israel.
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