WarSclerotic

Sinai Jihad group claims fired rockets on Eilat – Israel News, Ynetnews.

Jamaat Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis has taken responsibility for attacks on Israel before, now boasts its rockets ‘scared Israelis into shelters’; but though bangs were heard, no trace of rockets was found

Roi Kais

The Jamaat Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis group, which operates in the Sinai Peninsula, took responsibility on Friday evening for the alleged launch of two Grad missiles toward Eilat on Thursday.

Though Eilat residents reported hearing two or three loud bangs, security forces have yet to finds any trace of the rockets.

In an internet statement, the group boasted the bangs “frightened Allah’s Jewish enemies” and made them run for shelter.

Searching for the rockets (Photo: Meir Ohayon)

(Photo: Meir Ohayon)

Against the background of Egypt’s revolution and the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi, which raised concerns for the already volatile Sinai Peninsula, the group said: “The situation in Egypt, which the Jews’ long hand has a part in, will under no circumstances stop the wheels of jihad.

“With Allah’s help, this situation will increase the determination to act for this religion and enforce Allah’s Sharia.”

The Jamaat Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis have taken responsibility before for attacks against Israel.

Unlike the previous incident in which blasts sounded in Eilat, no air raid siren was heard, nor were flashes seen in the area.

Following the blasts, the IDF turned to Egypt, looking into a possibility that any rockets that might have caused the blasts exploded in Egyptian territory.

The blasts were heard in neighboring Aqaba as well. Large forces of army and police combed the area, but failed to find anything.

Terrorist group takes responsibility for Eilat attack | The Times of Israel.

Remains of rockets fired on Thursday from the Sinai at southern city still not found

The city of Eilat, where at least one rocket fell Thursday morning (photo credit: Nati Shohat/Flash90)

A terrorist organization belonging to the global Jihad assumed responsibility Friday for the firing of two rockets at Eilat on Thursday.

The organization, a Salafi group called “Jamaat Ansar Bayt Al-Maqdis,” has been known to operate in the Sinai peninsula as well as the Gaza Strip.

The rockets’ remains have not yet been discovered, despite extensive searches by security forces in the area. According to Channel 10 news, police estimate that the rockets landed in open ground, possibly beyond the Israeli border.

Israel’s southernmost city has been subject to a number of missile attacks in recent years.

In April, Eilat was hit by two Grad rockets, apparently fired from the Sinai. One of the rockets fell in open ground, but the second landed in a residential area and caused light damage.

The airport in the city was closed briefly in the immediate aftermath of that attack.