Egyptian security officials said they arrested members of a cell planning to attack Israelis and international forces in Sinai. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, said police carried out raids in three cities in Sinai and seized explosives. They did not identify the cell, but said the militants planned to attack Israeli tourists in southern Sinai during  upcoming Eid Al-Adha as well as the foreign peacekeeping forces. The officials said they received an intelligence tip from Israel about the group. The detainees are being questioned, while witnesses said the authorities seized computers and books during the arrests.

Citing what they called “updated and credible” information, Israeli authorities said members of the Army of Islam, a group that espouses an Al-Qaeda-like ideology, were in Sinai and planning to snatch Israeli tourists.

The tourism industry of Egypt was dealt a blow when its Red Sea resorts of Taba and Nuweiba were targeted in a string of bombings that killed more than 30 people in 2004. Sinai is a popular destination for visitors from Israel.