By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli defense establishments on Wednesday raised the alert level through out the country ahead of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Passover.
Thousands of Israeli policemen and voluntary civil guards were deployed to bolster security in crowded areas. Roadblocks were setup at the entrance to major cities.
Israel will impose a full closure on the West Bank from Friday night till April, 27 after Passover, said Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Israeli Counter-Terrorism Bureau in the Prime Minister’s Office also issued a travel warning of an “imminent” attack against Israeli tourists in Sinai.
On Tuesday, Egyptian security officials said they were searching for a number of terror cells in Sinai that were planning to attack a tourist site.
Israel’s fears are not limited to Egypt. Local daily Jerusalem Post reported it was possible that Hezbollah was receiving assistance from al-Qaida or global jihad movements to conspire a retaliatory attack.
The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) has in recent weeks beefed up security personnel on Israeli civilian aircraft and in Israeli embassies and consulates.