Explosives found near Gaza border

Israelis warned to stay out of Sinai; Egypt: Terrorists planning Sinai attack.

By JPOST STAFF, AP
Sinai blast 298.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
Sinai blast 298.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Egyptian security forces discovered on Friday approximately one metric ton of explosives hidden underground near Egypt's border with Gaza, a security official said. The explosives, mostly TNT that officials believe was recovered from land mines, were stashed in 34 plastic sacks, the security officer said speaking on condition of anonymity, because he is not authorized to give statements to the media. The explosives were to be smuggled to the Gaza Strip, he said. Beduin trackers working for the authorities led security forces to the underground hiding place in Nagaa Shabanah, a village a few kilometers south of the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The discovery came on the heels of a report by Egyptian intelligence that two Palestinians armed with explosives had infiltrated Sinai and intended to carry out suicide terror attacks against tourists. The Counterterrorism Bureau of the National Security has advised Israelis not to travel to Sinai, Army Radio reported Friday. Friday's terror warning followed the arrest Thursday of 23 Egyptian terror suspects, while on Wednesday, northern Sinai was on high alert after Egyptian border and security authorities arrested 3 Palestinians and Egyptians, including one who was wearing an explosives belt and had crossed from Gaza to Egypt in an underground tunnel.