What Really Happened in Eilat and Aqaba?

On August 2nd, a series of rocket attacks hit Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat, and its Jordanian neighbor Aqaba.  Coincidentally, I was in both cities less than two weeks ago, and the feeling of peacefulness and calm in both cities made me feel safe and comfortable, outside of the 114 degree high temperature.

Three rockets landed in the Red Sea, one landed in an open area in Eilat, and one hit the Intercontinental Hotel in Aqaba killing one person and injuring four others.  I don’t care if it is an Israeli or a Jordanian, I am always sad to read about people killed in pointless terrorist attacks.

Terrorism against Israel is not new, sadly not surprising, and will likely happen again at some point.  However, something is very puzzling about this situation, no one knows where the rockets came from.  Initial reports said that the rockets were fired from the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.  Egyptian officials deny this.  Some speculate the attacks came from Gaza.  Normally Hamas is proud of terrorism against the Jewish people, but they deny that this came from a Palestinian group.  Others believe the attack came from the Jordanian mountains and that the government is trying to cover it up.  Jordan, of course, denies the attack originated there.

Egyptian news says that the five rockets came from Gaza, but the AP reports that an Egyptian official said that the remains of rocket fire were found in the Sinai.  Jordan seems to be listening and waiting.

So for now all we know is that terrorists attacked Israel and, whether intentional or not, Jordan.  If you can figure out who did it, please let me know.

Update 8/5:  It now appears that both Egypt and Israel agree the attack came from Hamas terrorists in the Sinai.