Explosion hits Egypt's gas pipeline to Israel

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An explosion hit an Egyptian pipeline that transports gas to Israel and Jordan early Thursday. The pipeline blew up in the city of Al Arish in Egypt's northern Sinai Peninsula, witnesses said. No casualties were immediately reported.

It was the seventh explosion to hit the pipeline since a popular uprising forced former president Hosny Mubarak to step down in February. Authorities have blamed the incidents on activists protesting against gas exports to Israel, which have been running since 2008 under a 15-year deal with preferential terms.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/explosion-hits-egypt-s-gas-pipeline-to-israel-1.394750

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1. Blasts hit Egypt-Israel gas pipeline

CAIRO (Reuters) -- Saboteurs blew up the gas pipeline between Egypt, Israel and Jordan on Thursday in Northern Sinai using remote controlled bombs, forcing it to shut down, Egyptian security sources said.

The first blast, the sixth since the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak and the seventh this year, was near Mazar area, 30 kilometers west of the town of Al-Arish, security sources and witnesses said.

Witnesses saw a second, smaller explosion west of Al-Arish near a pumping station, state news agency MENA reported. The report said it was not clear whether any damage was done. The explosions are the first since pumping resumed on Oct. 24.

"Primary examination showed that Improvised Explosive Devices were put under the pipeline and were detonated from a distance," a security source told Reuters.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=435722

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2. Egypt arrests 16 over attacks on gas pipeline to Israel

Egyptian security forces have arrested 16 suspects in connection with recurrent attacks on a pipeline for the supply of gas to Israel and Jordan, a security source said on Sunday.

The head of security in North Sinai, Saleh al-Masri, told DPA that the search for suspects began Saturday with police and the army deployed in Sinai.

The pipeline has been attacked seven times since a popular uprising forced former president Hosni Mubarak to step down in February. No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.

There is little support among Egyptians for the export of gas to Israel, which has been running since 2008 under a 15-year deal with preferential terms.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-arrests-16-over-attacks-on-gas-pipeline-to-israel-1.395298