Al-Qaeda plans to kill Israelis in Jordan
Intelligence reports reveal terror group nearing Israel's borders,
planning to abduct, murder Israelis in Jordan. According to
documents, Al-Qaeda planning mega attack near Jordan-Israel
border
Smadar Peri
Classified information received in Jerusalem over the weekend warns
of a plan by terror group al-Qaeda to abduct Israeli citizens in
Jordan, execute them and later publish photos of the murder,
Israel's leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
According to the information, al-Qaeda chief in Iraq Abu Musab
al-Zarqawi is behind the plan, aimed at boosting his image in the
eyes of Al-Qaeda's top leader Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden has for
years been pressuring his group members to carry out attacks
against Israel and cause damage to Jordan, where he was
incarcerated for many years.
Another warning received in Israel refers to a plan of al-Qaeda's
Iraqi branch to carry out a mega terror attack at the industrial
factories in Irbid, Jordan, located on the border with
Israel.
Numerous Israeli factories operate in the Irbid area, employing
thousands of Jordanian nationals. The products of Irbid are sold in
the American market custom free and salaries in the factories
provide a living for thousands of families.
"If such a terror attack is successful, the Jordanians, the
Israelis and the Americans will all be affected," a senior defense
official in Amman said.
Severe security warning
Jordanian security forces have apprehended during the weekend a
Zarqawi terror cell sent to the country in order to blow up a
hotel, a power plant and a shopping center. four suspects were
arrested in the raid.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said that the large attack foiled in
Jordan exemplifies the growing threat of global Jihad organizations
to Israel and its neighbors. Mofaz added that the exposure of the
terror cell was behind the Israeli Counter Terror Bureau's decision
last week to put out a severe warning to Israelis to avoid from
traveling to Sinai and Jordan.
Defense officials in Israel have also expressed concern over signs
of al-Qaeda nearing Israel and the Palestinian Authority's borders.
They say the violent clashes between Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq
bring al-Qaeda closer to the country.
Security sources reported that reliable intelligence information
received by Israel revealed that al-Qaeda activists have succeeded
in infiltrating the Gaza strip and that they were establishing
local cells there. In addition, warnings that the group may
infiltrate the West bank are also imminent.
Meanwhile, Bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahri called on Hamas not
to recognize the peace agreements signed between Israel and the PA.
Al-Zawahri made the statement in a video tape broadcast by
Qatari-based television channel al-Jazeera on Saturday.
Itamar Eichner contributed to the report