Palestinian Led Sinai Blasts, Egypt Says

This explanation seems a bit convenient for the Egyptian government, no? A disgruntled individual manages to put together three simultaneous bombs within a couple of weeks (classic Al-Qaeda methodology), and he accidentally dies? -EoZ

CAIRO, Oct. 25 - A disgruntled Palestinian who worked as a driver and was bent on killing as many Israeli tourists as possible organized the bombings of three resort areas along the eastern Sinai coast that left 34 people dead this month, the Egyptian government said Monday.

The Interior Ministry announced that of the nine men involved in the Oct. 7 attack, two of them, including the ringleader, died unintentionally in one attack, the huge explosion at the Taba Hilton. It said two bombers remained at large, and five suspects with lesser roles were arrested.

Aside from the ringleader, identified as Eyad Said Saleh, the other men were Egyptians from Bedouin tribes and all nine lived in Al-Arish, a town on the northern Sinai coast, said an investigator involved in the case. Most of the men were in their 30's, he said.

Mr. Saleh did not appear to be connected to any specific Palestinian faction, or to Al Qaeda, said the investigator. Egyptian investigators have favored the theory that the attacks were linked to the violence against the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

The Interior Ministry said Mr. Saleh had sought revenge for an extended Israeli assault against the Gaza Strip that has killed and wounded scores of people.