Warning raised regarding plots by militants to kidnap Israelis

On 15 September 2008 the Israeli Counter Terrorism Board issued a new warning regarding plots by militants to kidnap Israelis in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt in the coming days. Authorities stated that they are aware of an "immediate and concrete plot" by militants, who could be either local groups or groups working in tandem with Hizballah. The release of this most recent warning comes several weeks after a similar one was issued warning of the threat of kidnapping in the Sinai; additionally, the development comes amid recent warnings and announcements by Israeli officials of foiled plots by Hizballah operatives to kidnap Israeli businesspersons abroad. Israeli authorities have also issued a "blanket order" to ban soldiers from visiting the Sinai for the time being, as they are considered valuable targets by militants. Officials expressed concern that the recent temporary reopening of the Gaza Strip-Rafah border terminal crossing between the Palestinian territory and Egypt by Egyptian authorities may have allowed militants to infiltrate the Sinai; however, no other details were released. Israeli authorities remain on a heightened state of alert following the February 2008 assassination of a high-ranking Hizballah official in neighboring Syria; Hizballah blamed Israel for perpetrating it and has warned several times that it will seek revenge.