Threats seen at Egypt, Jordan resorts

TABA, Egypt - Security forces have expanded their deployment in the northern Sinai in a manhunt for a Hamas terrorist squad. The group sneaked out of Gaza on a mission to fire rockets into Israel from Sinai.
Egypt's efforts are hampered by support for the Hamas militants from the local population of Palestinians and disgruntled Bedouin tribes.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Jordan defended its travel warning of a possible threat in the Gulf of Aqaba. The Embassy says it had "credible information" about a "possible imminent threat near the Gulf of Aqaba."
The Jordanian government issued a statement saying there were "no signs" of an "imminent threat" in the country.

COMMENT: In some areas of northern Sinai, photos of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are more popular than Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Palestinians make up the bulk of the population in Rafah, Egypt, across the border from the town of the same name in the Gaza Strip.
But since Ramadan ended last week, Egyptian security forces have been beefed up amid warnings Hamas was trying to export its conflict from the Gaza Strip into the Sinai and fire on Israel from Egypt's territory.
Israeli intelligence sources said Hamas was transporting its launching pad for rocket strikes from Gaza to Sinai so as not to expose themselves to Israeli retaliation that would entangle Egypt.
The border has been heating up on the northern edge of the Gulf of Aqaba where Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia meet. Aqaba is a couple of kilometers across the bay from the Israeli resort town of Eilat.
Last month, unknown militants fired five Grad rockets from Egyptian territory toward Eilat. Most landed in the sea and one overshot, hitting Aqaba and killing one taxi driver.
Egyptian security detained Hamas’ head of security Mohammad Dababesh at Cairo international airport. He was the first high-ranking Palestinian held for questioning by Egyptian security. A statement released by Hamas in Gaza condemned his arrest and called for his immediate release.
four Israelis was aimed at thwarting the peace negotiations. Reports said the perpetrators had planned to kidnap the slain Israelis and cause a widespread Israeli security manhunt that could torpedo the talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to travel to Jordan on Thursday after peace talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Jerusalem.