Nevertheless, violent disturbances, Molotov cocktail attacks, rock throwing, and gun and bomb attacks on Israeli military and civilian targets remain a constant threat in the West Bank.

"} 81:{"position":39,"content":"

The sector is also the scene of ongoing attempts by Hamas and other terror organizations to launch atrocities on civilian targets in Israel proper. One recent example is the plot by Hamas in the West Bank to bomb the Mamilla open-air mall in the heart of Jerusalem on the Jewish New Year, which was thwarted by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the country’s domestic intelligence body.

"} 82:{"position":40,"content":"

Sinai In recent months, Egyptian security forces have stepped up counter-terrorism operations on the growing al-Qaida presence in the Sinai Peninsula.

"} 83:{"position":41,"content":"

Jihadis from this region have targeted the Red Sea resort of Eilat with rocket attacks on multiple occasions, and forced the shutdown of Eilat’s airport as well.

"} 84:{"position":42,"content":"

With access to Libyan missiles and firearms, the Sinai jihadis, made up of radicalized Beduin and foreign volunteers from Arab countries, have also launched cross-border attacks on the Israeli-Egyptian border, most likely in the hope of provoking an incident that would undermine the Israel-Egypt peace treaty.

"} 85:{"position":43,"content":"

The radical groups include Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, which claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on Eilat.

"} 86:{"position":44,"content":"

Some of the jihadis maintain links to the Gaza Strip, from where arms are smuggled into Sinai, which is why the Egyptian army has been destroying smuggling tunnels linking the two territories.

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Forward thinking

The ‘Post’ military correspondent takes a look at the main security threats facing Israel