Israel’s Counterterrorism Bureau warned Israelis to leave the Sinai Peninsula immediately.
Monday’s warning came after what the bureau said was concrete information about a plan by Hezbollah and local terror groups to kidnap Israelis and take them to Gaza.
A travel advisory suggesting that Israelis could be in danger in the Sinai has been in effect for several weeks. But this warning is more stark, urging Israelis in the Sinai to leave and those planning to travel there to change their plans.
The Israeli Defense Forces on Sunday ordered all soldiers currently serving in the military — whether conscripts, reservists or career officers — as well as civilians employed by the military, not to travel to the Sinai. Terrorists are said to be most interested in kidnapping and holding for ransom Israeli military personnel.
Israelis can not be prevented from traveling to the Sinai, for example by closing the Taba Crossing, since there is a peace agreement with Egypt.
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