Israeli security forces warned on Thursday that following yesterday’s Egyptian military coup, a power vacuum could make the Sinai Peninsula a hot bed for terrorist activity, Israel’s Channel 2 TV, reported, citing unnamed Israeli security sources.

The Israel Defense Forces Southern Command has increased military patrols along the Egyptian border, on the look out for Al Qaeda operatives who Israel fears may be supported by roaming criminal gangs of Bedouins in the area, Channel 2 said. Southern Command believes the relative calm is fragile and may shatter at any moment.

“There are elements of Al Qaeda who control different areas in Sinai, assisted by gangs of Bedouin and activists, and have a clear interest to light the fire because Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza portray them as moderates. Therefore rocket attacks are something we take into account,” the security source told the Israeli TV station.