Israel closes border crossing to Egypt

Israel has closed its border crossing into the Sinai peninsula to Israeli citizens amid fears a terrorist attack is imminent.

Israel has taken the unusual step of barring its citizens from crossing into Egypt's Sinai peninsula, saying the threat of attacks in the area inspired by Islamic State and other jihadist groups is high.

Minutes after the ban was announced on Monday, the Israeli military said a rocket was launched from the Sinai and struck southern Israel, causing no injuries.

The ban will be in effect at the Taba crossing at least until April 18, the end of the Jewish holiday of Passover that begins at sundown on Monday, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Thousands of Israelis usually cross the land border with Egypt during the holiday to visit resorts and beaches on the Sinai Red Sea coast.

Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency on Sunday after bombings of Coptic churches in Alexandria and the Nile delta city of Tanta, which killed more than 40 people.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for both incidents and warned of future attacks.

The statement urged Israelis already in the Sinai to return home immediately, reiterating a travel advisory that Israel's Anti-Terrorism Directorate issued on March 27.

Sinai has traditionally been a popular destination for Israelis, especially during the Passover holiday.

But Israel has urged its citizens to avoid the area in recent years because of Islamic militant activity.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world