Israelis warned of terror threats abroad

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JERUSALEM, March 7 (UPI) -- Iranian and Hezbollah operatives, members of a global Shiite terror group, plan to target Israelis and Jews abroad, Israel's counter-terrorism bureau warned.

"Shiite terrorism is a threat to Israeli citizens and Diaspora Jews. The threat is being sponsored by Iran and Hezbollah. Over the past two years, there has been an increased effort to carry out attacks," a source in the National Security Council's counter-terrorism bureau source told The Jerusalem Post.

"We are identifying a systematic campaign operating with the greatest vigor ... They are fully coordinated. It is one axis."

The bureau issued warnings to Israelis, saying 27 countries have been designated as being under a travel alert of varying severity, the Post said Thursday.

Israelis were urged to stay away from the Sinai Peninsula, where the threat level is considered high. The Post said intelligence reports indicted militants plan to kidnap or target Israelis vacationing there.

Azerbaijan, Kenya, Nigeria and Turkey were classified as "ongoing potential threats" by the bureau.

Israel has contacted governments and police officials in Cyprus, Turkey, India and Thailand, the official said, noting these countries host large numbers of Israeli tourists and they have been advised to increase their security presence.