Israeli minister: Terror attack is planned

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JERUSALEM, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Sinai terroristrs plan to carry out an attack against Israel near the Egyptian border, Israeli Home Front Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said Tuesday.

"The defense establishment has concrete intelligence regarding plans by a terror cell from the Sinai consisting of more than 10 people," Vilnai said during a visit to Elbit Systems near Sderot, Ynetnews.com and The Jerusalem Post reported.

Vilnai's statements came a day after Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Israel's chief of staff, raised the level of alert and increased military presence along the borders with Egypt and Gaza.

Those actions were taken, and Egyptian authorities informed, after intelligence was received of plans by terrorists to attack Israelis, officials said.

Quoting Egyptian security forces, the Egyptian daily al-Masry al-Youm said about 1,500 Egyptian soldiers operate in the Sinai Peninsula against terrorist strongholds.