Jihadist group claims responsibility for rocket attack on Eilat

A jihadist organization operating in Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula has claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on Eilat.

The Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted the rocket fired from the Sinai near its border with Israel at Eilat at 1 a.m. on Tuesday. The Iron Dome battery was moved to the Eilat area about a month ago.

Israeli authorities late last week ordered the closure of the Eilat airport for several hours after a warning from Egyptian security services about a possible attack, according to reports.

The Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem, which is affiliated with Al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued later Tuesday and said it was carried out to avenge the deaths of four jihadi terrorists on Friday in a drone attack in the Sinai. The attack was blamed on Israel, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

“Eilat and other Jewish towns will not be enjoying security, tourism or economy. Jews will pay for the blood of the jihad fighters,” the statement said.

Hotels in Eilat, a major tourist destination for Israelis and Europeans, are almost completely filled at this time of year.