Monday, April 10, the Israeli authorities announced that they have closed a border crossing between Taba, Egypt, and Israel’s Red Sea resort city of Eilat because of concerns of terror attack by ISIS. This is a reaction to the suicide bombings that killed more than 40 Coptic Christians in two churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday.
Israeli Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz announced that the border crossing will remain closed until at least April 18. He said that there have been warnings issued by the Israeli’s government’s anti-terrorism office of an imminent militant attack that could target Israeli tourists traveling to Sinai during the festive days of Passover.
Meantime, in Egypt the government has formally approved the proposal made by President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi for a three-month state of emergency that directs the police and armed forces “to execute those procedures necessary to combat the threats of terrorism and its financing, maintain security around the country and protect public and private property, as well as preserving the lives of citizens.”
