Tel-Chai Nation

And this appears to have involved a rocket attack too:

JERUSALEM (AP) — Assailants armed with heavy weapons, guns and explosives launched three attacks in quick succession in southern Israel near the border with Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding about a dozen more, officials said.

The rare violence in that part of the country targeted a passenger bus, a military patrol and a private car, the officials said. Channel 10 TV reported a fourth attack, but there was no official confirmation or details. The military said a “large number” of assailants were working in multiple squads.

“We are talking about a terror squad that infiltrated into Israel,” said Israeli military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich. “This is a combined terrorist attack against Israelis.”

The violence near the resort city of Eilat stoked concerns about growing lawlessness in neighboring Sinai following the ouster in February of Egypt’s longtime autocratic leader, Hosni Mubarak.

Last week, Egypt moved thousands of troops into the Sinai Peninsula as part of a major operation against al-Qaida inspired militants who have been increasingly active in Sinai since Mubarak’s ouster in February. The militants have taken advantage of the security vacuum caused by the abrupt withdrawal of police forces. Authorities have blamed the militants for brazen attacks on police patrols as well as a string of bombings on a key pipeline carrying natural gas to Israel and Jordan.

There's a very serious concern that the Sinai peninsula could become another stronghold for al Qaeda. And coupled with the potential new sharia-based government in Egypt, it could be very possible.

Update:The Jerusalem Post has a slideshow of at least 5 pictures taken from the scenes of the crimes.

There's now also a report of a fourth attack north of Eilat:

An additional shooting attack took place Thursday evening north of Eilat, in which one person was injured. Army forces, police and ambulances were seen rushing toward the location of the attack and IDF helicopters were hovering overhead.[...]

IDF forces were still searching the area around Eilat and the Egyptian border out of concern that there may be terrorists still in the area. Sources said that it is possible that there were as many 20 terrorist in the area, both in Israel and on the Egyptian side of the border.

They added that there may be another terrorist cell hiding in the area. IDF and special police counter-terrorist forces killed seven terrorists during the three earlier attacks.

At a press conference Thursday evening, OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo said that security forces had been on high alert for terror attacks coming from Sinai to Israel.

This might be a side-effect of the so-called "Arab spring", and it is definitely dangerous.

Update 2: here's more info on some of the victims.

Others rightfully outraged include Israel Matzav, Hot Air, Politicons, The Foxhole, Political Byline, Giyus.Org, Big Peace.

Labels: anti-semitism, Egypt, Israel, jihad, terrorism