Israeli media outlets have reported that 15 Egyptian policemen were shot dead by extremists in Sinai. Israeli daily Maariv said that the attack which left 15 Egyptian policemen dead followed a statement issued by Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau on Thursday warning Israeli citizens of an imminent attack.



The statement, published by the bureau Prime Minister's Office, asked "the families of Israelis in Sinai to make contact with them and inform them of this warning. In addition, the bureau strongly recommends that all those planning to go to Sinai refrain from doing so." The warning was issued on Thursday.



The statement also said that, according to Counter-Terrorism Bureau intelligence, Gaza-based "terrorist organisations" will target Israelis on Sinai's beaches "in the immediate term."



The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), Israel's state broadcaster, said that the events unfolding in Sinai reinforce the deterioration of the security situation there.

The broadcaster stated that the events show that "terrorists" are keen on carrying out attacks in the peninsula, a reality the IBA described as of utmost danger, especially as "extremist Islamists" groups have been operating in Sinai since ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's era.