Egypt-Israel border. Photo: wiki commons.

Following the kidnapping of seven Egyptian police officers by an armed Islamist terror group, Egyptian security forces were preparing Monday to launch a rescue operation in the Sinai peninsula, according to Ma’an News Agency.

A large plane carrying soldiers and heavy military equipment landed at el-Arish airport Sunday night in preparation for the attack on “terrorist groups,” the sources told Ma’an on condition of anonymity.

A video posted on YouTube on Sunday appeared to show the seven hostages, blindfolded and with their hands on their heads, relaying their abductors’ demand for the release of detained Bedouin “political activists.”

“We hope that you, president, quickly release the political activists from Sinai as soon as possible because we can no longer stand the torture,” said one hostage.

The policemen, who worked at border crossings, were kidnapped at gunpoint while on leave.

On Monday Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said that there would be no talks with the kidnappers. Presidential spokesman Omar Amer said: “All options are on the table to free the kidnapped soldiers.”

According to Reuters, a military official said the decision followed a meeting between the military leadership and Morsi, who has said he will not submit to blackmail.