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Israel tells its citizens to leave Egypt

JERUSALEM — Israel’s National Security Council on Thursday warned Israelis visiting Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula to leave at once as it believed they could be targets of a militant kidnap plot.

Citing what it called “updated and credible” information,a group that espouses an Al-Qaeda-like ideology, were in Sinai at present and planning to snatch Israeli tourists.

In a statement published on its website, the council called on “all Israelis present in Sinai to leave immediately and return home. The families of Israelis in Sinai are requested to contact them and update them regarding this travel warning.”

The statement said that the Israeli army’s killing in Gaza last week of Mohammed Jamil al-Nemnem, 27, a senior commander, was linked to the intended Sinai attack.

Nemnem was killed last Wednesday when his car exploded outside the Hamas police headquarters in Gaza City.

The Israeli military announced afterwards that he had been targeted in a joint operation along with the Shin Bet internal security service, and a spokeswoman described him as “a ticking bomb” who was planning a major attack on Israeli civilians.

Sinai, which is cheap and close to home, is a popular destination for visitors from neighbouring Israel.