I am very sad about what happened in Taba. What some stupid people did will have pain and suffering for many Egyptian people as Egypt has a big tourism industry.

My condolences go out to the families of the victims.

I am shattered that something like that happened in Egypt again; in the country I love so much.

Killing of people is not the answer, its not an option.

quote:

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Originally posted by Luxorlover:
The hotel is almost on top of the border iSRAELI and was a known target in the Palestine/Israeli problem. It does not affect the rest of Egypt which is a wonderful, safe and secure place.

RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY HERE.

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Summary

A series of explosions in Egyptian resort areas in the Sinai Peninsula
on
Oct. 7 left dozens dead and scores injured. While Hamas reportedly
claimed
the attack, it looks more like the work of Islamist militants from
Egypt or
al Qaeda-linked militants, targeting the Egyptian tourism industry.
Like the
Egyptian response after the 1997 Luxor attack, Cairo will strike
swiftly to
prevent damage to the tourist industry and to pre-empt further attacks
on
Egyptian soil.

Analysis

A series of explosions have taken place in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula at
the
resort areas of Taba, Nuweiba and Ras al-Shitan late Oct. 7. In Taba, a
large
explosion at the Hilton Hotel, thought to be a suicide bomb or car bomb
blast, knocked down some interior walls and the ceiling in the lobby
area and
caused dozens of casualties. There are some reports that 10 floors near
the
explosion site collapsed, and electricity in the area is reportedly
out.

There is little information thus far on the other explosions -- there
were
even some reports that they did not take place -- but Egyptian media
later
reported seven casualties. The areas of Nuweiba and Ras al-Shitan have
weak
and limited security, a recent traveler to the resort towns reported,
but the
general impression by the Israeli tourists who frequent the area was --
as
the towns gain most of their revenue from foreign tourists -- they were
relatively safe, despite their location on the Sinai Peninsula.

This has the immediate potential to create a new level of tensions
between
Israel and Egypt, as well as unnerve the Egyptian leadership. Cairo has
worked long and hard to keep Islamist militancy under wraps,
particularly
after the November 1997 Luxor attack by Gamaa al-Islamiyah that left 70
dead,
including 58 foreign tourists. For Cairo, this is doubly troubling,
given the
ongoing preparation for the death of President Hosni Mubarak and the
likely
transfer of power to his son.

On Sept. 9, the Israeli Foreign Ministry warned citizens against travel
to
the Sinai Peninsula. "A concrete possibility has emerged that
terrorists will
try to attack tourist centers in Egypt, especially the Sinai," the
ministry
cautioned.

There are some initial reports that Hamas has claimed responsibility
for the
attacks. As a result of crackdowns on Hamas militants and leadership in
recent months the group has responded with a series of threats against
Israel
and Israeli targets -- most recently with the twin suicide bombing of
buses
in Beersheba, which was followed Sept. 21 by a threat to stage more
suicide
bombings in response to Israeli's latest air strikes.

While Hamas may have claimed the attack, al Qaeda-related militants are
also
interested in attacks in the area, which would not only strike out at
Israel
but also punish Egypt for its cooperation with the United States. In an
Oct.
1 audiotape released by al Qaeda's number two, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the
al
Qaeda leader called on Islamist militants to rise up and look to the
Palestinians for examples. He also urged them not to wait for the
United
States or others to invade or attack them, but to take the offensive. A
strike at Israelis gathered at resorts during a holiday in Egypt not
only
takes the fight to the Israelis abroad, it also has the potential to
strain
ties between Egypt and Israel, potentially raising support inside Egypt
for
the Islamist cause as tensions mount.

quote:

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Originally posted by Tigerlily:

I don't think its the issue here, LL. If terrorists are able to plan and execute such an awful attack - and its doesn't matter in this case who they are after - then you see how vulnerable and unsafe Egypt is.

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tigerlily, EVERYWHERE is vulnerable and unsafe by those terms. If this is going to happen in any place in the world it can, you only have to look at 911 for that, a country that thought it was safe from anything and anyone!
Egypt is a safe and wonderful place, dont let this stop you from visiting, it certainly wont stop me moving there. Israel are disliked by so many, there will be attacks on them wherever they go.

Allah does not take you before your time, and if its our time nothing can stop that no matter where you are .

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ayisha:

tigerlily, EVERYWHERE is vulnerable and unsafe by those terms. If this is going to happen in any place in the world it can, you only have to look at 911 for that, a country that thought it was safe from anything and anyone!
Egypt is a safe and wonderful place, dont let this stop you from visiting, it certainly wont stop me moving there. Israel are disliked by so many, there will be attacks on them wherever they go.

Allah does not take you before your time, and if its our time nothing can stop that no matter where you are .

---

I truly see we have different meaning of life itself. I believe if God wants to take us from this world its fine, we have to accept, but you can't really say that it was time for these tourists - Israelis or not - men, women and even children - to be taken away from this world like that.

Yes, its true Israelis are disliked by many..... many Arabs.

I personally don't have anything against Israelis I have to be ashamed of what my country did to them 60, 65 years ago.

But what can I expect of an Egyptian board. Of course you'll find people justifying what happened last night ...... and sympathising inside.

Again, killing is not an answer.

Despite the trouble the British Foreign Office has not changed its advice over Egypt - it is considered a safe country. The BBC said that even the flights into Taba have not been affected. Therefore, it should have no affect whatsoever on Sharm, Luxor, Aswan or Hurhgada.

IT NOW EMERGED THAT HAMAS WAS UNLIKELY TO HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE AND THAT THE WORK IS OF FAR MORE EXTREME FACTORS.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY - EGYPT IS WONDERFUL.

The problem arises through those that live thousand of miles away and imagine the situation rather than being on the spot and knowing just how safe it is.

quote:

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Originally posted by chelle67:
I will still be going to Luxor UNLESS the british foreign office issue drastic warnings against travel to Egypt.
I booked a holiday to turkey a few weeks before istanbul was bombed but i still went on holiday.
look at how many people go to Spain on holiday every year? you have more chance of being blown sky high there but it doesn't stop people going even when eta issue warnings.

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EGYPT IS A SAFE AND WONDERFUL COUNTRY. NOBODY COULD BE MORE UPSET BY THIS THAN THE EGYPTIANS ARE.

There is no area in the world that is totally safe from terrorism but I certainly feel safer here in Luxor than I did in London.

I have been keeping an eye on the official travel advice sites and they haven't recommended cancellation of any trips.

Rise above the comments made by another member. Good grief, if you can't make your own thoughts known without someone putting you down, is this forum really worth it?