Israel Shut Down Eilat Airport Because of Egyptian Warning

Israeli authorities shut down Eilat's airport after Egypt sent a warning about a possible terror attack, says senior military source.

By Elad Benari, Canada -- ArutzSheva 7

First Publish: 8/9/2013, 10:35 PM

Eilat airport

Flash 90

 

Israeli authorities shut down Eilat's airport on Thursday after Egypt sent a warning about an attack originating in the Sinai, a senior military source told the Bethlehem-based Ma'an news agency on Friday.

Egyptian intelligence agents feared that armed groups were preparing to target security buildings in the Sinai including sites along the Suez canal, reported Ma’an.

Military sources told the news agency that Egyptian airplanes and helicopters were flying over the Sinai to track down the would-be attackers, but there were no immediate reports of clashes.

The airport in Israel's Red Sea resort resumed flights on Thursday evening after a brief shutdown over unspecified security concerns, the military said.

"The airport is open after a new situation report," a spokeswoman told AFP, without further explanation.

The military earlier ordered the cancellation of all flights in and out of Eilat for about two hours following a security assessment, but gave no details of the possible threat.

Egypt's army is currently engaged in an offensive in Sinai to curtail a surge in violence since Islamist president Mohammed Morsi was ousted on July 3.

On Friday, five Egyptian terrorists were killed in an air strike in Sinai, which some claimed Israel had carried out.

Security sources and witnesses said the terrorists were struck as they prepared to launch a rocket into Israel.

Tags: Eilat ,Egypt ,Eilat terror ,Sinai Terrorism ,Eilat airport