Severe travel warning updated in light of information indicating terrorists stepped up efforts to attack Israeli tourists

The National Security Council´s Counter-Terrorism Bureau has called on all Israelis currently in the Egyptian-controlled Sinai Peninsula to "leave the area immediately and return to Israel."

In a statement issued on Saturday, the bureau said it decided to update "the severe travel warning for Sinai in light of information indicating that terror organizations are working even more intensely to carry out terror attacks against Israeli tourists vacationing in Sinai."

The travel advisory also called on Israelis planning on traveling to Sinai to avoid entering the peninsula.

About a month ago the Counter-Terrorism Bureau said hundreds of Israelis were continuing to travel to Sinai despite the fact that over the past year the region has become a haven for terror organizations from Gaza.

"Security forces have reliable and updated information showing that terror agencies are currently attempting to kidnap Israelis in Sinai for negotiation purposes," the bureau said.

The past few weeks have seen a number of foreigners being abducted in Sinai and held for ransom.

Thousands of people crossed into Egypt last February. About 70% of the tourists were foreigners, while the rest were Israeli. Most of the Israelis visited a casino located within walking distance from the Taba Border terminal or stayed in hotels in the Taba area, but some headed south, to Sinai´s beaches. (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/21/12)