ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) Director Yuval Diskin has issued a major travel advisory for Israelis leaving the country during the Tishrei holiday season, with a special emphasis placed on those planning to spend Rosh Hashanah in Egypt.

Diskin’s warning strengthens the warnings issued last month by the Counter-Terrorism Bureau. Diskin explained that “credible intelligence information” shows terrorists are planning to kidnap Israeli travelers in Sinai over the Yomim Tovim, and they may also be planning a major attack against a tourist resort. The emphasis is on Rosh Hashanah, but he explained the warning pertains to the other holidays too.

Diskin gave the cabinet a report on the Gaza ceasefire during the weekly meeting on Sunday, confirming the number of attacks has gone down to 36, as compared to 300 a month prior to the ceasefire. That said, he warned Hamas is using the time to rearm itself and prepare for the next conflict with Israel.

While Diskin acknowledged there is a decline in weapons smuggling across the Rafiach border, in part due to the effort of Egyptian forces, the main reason for the decline is because terrorists are using underground tunnels.

Regarding the PA (Palestinian Authority), Diskin believes that Abu Mazen will not remain in control for too much longer, and he will be replaced by a Hamas-affiliated leader or one of the terrorists incarcerated in Israel. His term expires on September 9th, at which time elections are expected.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)