Rockets Hit Red Sea Coast Cities

At about noon local time Friday an airborn Katyusha rocket landed, exploding on a road near the Eilat Airport in southern Israel. The blast damaged a bus and a car passing by. One person was injured by shrapnel.

Earlier in the day two rockets landed near American navy ships in the Gulf of Akaba in Jordan. One person is reported dead and one injured from the explosion. The Jordanian forces have closed the Akaba Gulf area to investigate.

Eilat has traditionally been seen as a safe city and a popular tourist destination. Threats of terrorist attacks in the area have been related only to Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula, though before September 11, 2001 there were warnings that Al Qaeda was planning terrorist acts in Eilat.

The Israeli and Jordanian security forces are jointly investigating today’s event.

Last month, three explosions in the city of Sharem Esh-Shekh on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula left 88 dead and 200 injured, including Israeli citizens and other tourists. The bombings were reportedly organized by an organization that is linked to Al Qaeda.

Recently in the port of Akaba, there has been a presence of American combat ships. One was almost hit in this morning’s rocket blast. After today’s attack, all ships in the area drew away from shore.