After Grad rocket hits Eilat, Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi tells new Military Intelligence officers Sinai will be characterized by ´increased instability´ in coming years

Over the past two months the army has exposed more than 10 terror cells in the Egyptian-controlled Sinai Peninsula, IDF Military Intelligence chief Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi revealed Thursday.

Terrorists fired a Grad rocket at Eilat early on Thursday morning. No injuries or damage were reported.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for new Military Intelligence officers, Kochavi said, "The Middle East, which has the highest pace of armament in the world, is changing its ultimate character beyond recognition. The winds of change may be carrying opportunity and a new message, but in the short and medium terms the risks are increasing. One of them is the Sinai sector. The attack on Eilat, the shooting attacks that emanated from Sinai – these are mere expressions of the fundamental change the region is undergoing.

"Meanwhile, terror organizations are continuing to strengthen their hold (on Sinai). We will have to prepare for the security-related instability that will characterize this sector in the coming years," he said.

Earlier, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Lt-Gen Benny Gantz, GOC Southern Command Maj-Gen Tal Russo and Military Intelligence Chief Kochavi met to discuss the rocket fire on Eilat.

The IDF has been on high alert across the Israel-Egypt border following several attempts to mount terror attacks in the sector.

"The situation in Sinai requires a different kind of deployment," Barak said. "This was a serious incident. We´re studying it and we will go after those who fired on Eilat and targeted Israeli citizens."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the rocket fire on Eilat, saying that the defense establishment is "well aware of the fact that Sinai is turning into a rocket launching pad for terrorists.

"We are building a fence. It can´t stop missiles but we will find a solution for that. We will strike those who aim to harm us," he said.

The IDF estimates that three rockets were fired towards Eilat at around midnight. One of them exploded not far from a residential area, while two others were not located as of yet. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/05/12)