Security increased at Gaza border
Egypt boosted security along its border with the Gaza Strip after Hamas allegedly threatened to kidnap Egyptian troops if Palestinian militants arrested in the Sinai are not released, a security official said.
Snipers were deployed on rooftops on the Egyptian side of Rafah, a town divided by the border. Egyptian forces were told to move only in armed groups of at least three, the official said.
The official said Hamas warned that it would abduct security personnel if Egypt did not release 15 members of the Islamic group arrested last week in the Sinai desert bordering Gaza.
He did not say how or when authorities received the alleged threat, and Hamas denied it.
Hamas militants blasted open part of the border Jan. 23.
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