Egyptian authorities announced Thursday that police had arrested 25 members of a terrorist cell. The cell was lead by a Palestinian Authority Arab and had ties to terrorist groups in Gaza.
Most cell members were Egyptians. Many had training in technical fields, or worked as engineers.
Officials said the group planned to attack targets in the Suez Canal, including oil pipelines and ships. Members learned about bomb making through jihadist websites, and planned to use their knowledge to build remote-control bombs, which were to be used against the strategic targets.
The cell received funding from foreign Islamic charities. In addition, terrorists allegedly robbed a Christian-owned jewelry store, killing the owner and three workers, and used the money they found to fund their activities.
Cell members were influenced by an extremist branch of Sunni Islam, officials said. They may have had ties to the Palestinian Army of Islam, a Gaza-based terrorist cell that has been implicated in previous attacks in Egypt. Hamas claims that the Army of Islam in Gaza has been disbanded.
Three months ago, Egyptian officials announced that they had arrested a large terrorist cell affiliated with Hizbullah. Cell members were accused of planning to attack Israelis and other tourists in the Sinai Peninsula.