Israel

IS-Linked Group Claims Eilat Rocket Attack

Thursday, February 9, 2017 7:59 am | < 1 Minute Read

A piece of shrapnel from the rocket that was intercepted and blown up by the Iron Dome, which landed in the swimming pool of the Hotel Isrotel in Eilat. (Shai Benisho)

An Islamic State-affiliated group claimed responsibility for firing rockets on Thursday toward Eilat from Egypt’s Sinai peninsula, an attack that Israel said caused no damage or casualties.

The Sinai Province group said it fired “a number of Grad rockets against gatherings of Zionist occupiers” in Eilat.

The IDF said that of the rockets launched from the Sinai toward Eilat one landed harmlessly in an open area and the others were intercepted by its Iron Dome antimissile system.

“What is coming is graver and more bitter,” Sinai Province said on an encrypted instant messaging system used by IS to communicate with followers.

Islamic State-linked terror groups waging an insurgency against Egypt in the Sinai have claimed responsibility for past rocket attacks in the Eilat area.

Egypt has accused the Palestinian enclave’s Islamist ruling movement, Hamas, of aiding Islamic State-linked terrorists in the Sinai. Hamas denies the allegation.