The warning comes as intelligence sources cited tangible reports from reliable sources.
In addition, Israelis who plan to travel abroad for Passover have been warned of hotspots for kidnapping attempts. Countries on the list include Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Armenia, Kenya and Nigeria.
The Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau advises Israelis in these countries conceal their identity, use air travel as their means of transportation, and only travel during the day.
Last Saturday the Counter-Terrorism Bureau also issued a strong warning to Israelis to leave Sinai immediately. "Terrorist elements remain in Sinai and are making preparations for kidnappings along with extremists among the local Bedouin tribes," the warning stated
The warning also asked Israelis with relatives staying in Sinai to contact their relatives and tell them of the warning, saying, "recent and reliable information obtained by the security services indicates terrorist organizations continue to plan to kidnap Israelis in Sinai to use as bargaining chips. The Counter-Terrorism Bureau strongly recommends Israelis refrain from going to Sinai and is calling on all Israelis currently there to leave immediately and return to Israel."
Counter-Terrorism Bureau officials explained "the security situation in the Sinai, which is characterized by instability, produces a real danger of attacks on Israelis there. Over the weekend the IDF a hit Hamas cell in Gaza, which was involved in planning attacks in the Sinai. This demonstrates the reality."
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak visited the Gaza Division headquarters on Thursday, where he addressed the terror escalation in the south.
“Shooting a missile into a bus, which resulted in the critical injuring of a boy whom I hope fully recovers, is a very serious event because it constitutes a hit deep inside Israel from deep inside the Gaza Strip,” said Barak and emphasized: “This is something we cannot accept.”
Barak addressed to the attacks and noted that “The actions taken now are a response to this incident and will continue as long as necessary, in order to clarify that such acts cannot continue. The IDF’s reactions are very purposeful and effective.”
The Defense Minister stressed that “We see Hamas as responsible for everything that happens and originates in Gaza, and we expect that Hamas will understand what is allowed and, of course, what is forbidden.”
Barak also spoke about the Iron Dome’s on Thursday of a Grad rocket which was fired from Gaza toward the city of Ashkelon.
“There was a successful first interception of the Iron Dome system,” he said. “The system was developed precisely to do so, that's why it was built. It’s no secret that we currently have only two active systems. We have a long way to go before we can truly say that we have a complete solution.”
Barak added that “the system worked and was apparently successful, and it’s good that it happened, but that does not mean that it will be able to stop every shooting. This is why we have is the IDF, the ability to attack, the fighter jets, the other aircraft, and the ground forces.”
He ended by saying: “I really want to take this opportunity to say to the Chief of Staff and the GOC that my impression is that very serious and professional work is being done here, using common sense, responsibility and determination.”
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The Israeli Air Force attacked on Thursday evening nine terror targets throughout the Gaza region. As well, three tunnels that were used to smuggle terrorists and weapons in Gaza were bombed by the IAF overnight on Thursday.
Earlier on Thursday, aircraft and armored forces attacked two terrorist groups, one in northern Gaza and one in southern Gaza, who had been involved in high-trajectory firing of rockets and mortar shells from Gaza into southern Israel.
The IDF Spokesperson reported that in all cases a direct hit on the targets was identified.
The IAF attacks came in response , in which terrorists fired at a school bus traveling in southern Israel near the Nahal Oz crossing.
Police initially identified the weapon fired at the bus as a medium anti-tank missile, but other reports indicated that it may have been a mortar attack. As a result of the attack, a 16-year-old boy was critically wounded. The driver of the bus sustained shrapnel wounds in the leg.
The attack on the school bus was followed by a barrage of mortar shells and rockets at the area. One exploded next to a house in the Eshkol region. No one was physically injured although the house was badly damaged. All in all, at least 40 projectiles had been fired into Israeli territory by late Thursday evening.
Also on Thursday, the new Iron Dome anti-rocket system in mid-air and scored its first operational success. The missile was a Grad-type rocket fired from Gaza towards Ashkelon.
Witnesses said they saw the rocket's plume after it exploded in mid-air. IDF sources confirmed the success.
Iron Dome following an escalation in rocket and mortar firing from Gaza into Israel. The Defense Ministry has touted Iron Dome as a solution to terrorist attacks from Gaza, as was proven on Thursday, but the system is still under evaluation.
The IDF spokesman issued a statement on Thursday evening which said that “the IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli citizens and will continue to act with determination and strength against any party who carries out terror attacks against Israel.”
The statement added that “the terrorist organization Hamas is the one who bears responsibility for the escalation in the attacks.”
Following the IDF’s response, the terror organizations in Gaza announced a ceasefire and said they will not fire anymore rockets towards Israel. The groups claimed that the decision was made as a result of international pressure.
