CAIRO, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Egypt intends to expand its military operations against jihadist militants in northern Sinai, an Egyptian official said Sunday.
An unnamed Egyptian military official told Israel Radio that said since the start of operations in the Sinai, the army has uncovered 10 tons of weapons -- including weapons from the Hamas military wing Izzadin al-Qassam in Gaza.
More than 100 militants have been killed by soldiers since the start of military operations in the Sinai Peninsula, Ahram Online and al-Masry al-Youm reported.
Egyptian military spokesman Ahmad Ali said the army has arrested 309 jihadists in Sinai and destroyed 154 tunnels between Egypt and Gaza, Ynetnews.com said.
A source in the Egyptian defense establishment told London-based Asharq al-Awsat the army will focus on striking nine suspected militant strongholds in northern Sinai where hundreds of gunmen are believed to be positioned.
The Egyptian army said it foiled an attack near Rafah and also reported Egyptian combat helicopters fired missiles at areas south of Rafah, the Ma'an news agency reported.
Ma'an reported Egyptian soldiers Saturday discovered explosives placed under an Egyptian border guard post in a tunnel linking the Egyptian side of Rafah to the Gaza side. Soldiers removed the explosives and destroyed the tunnel.
