Terrorist attacks against Israel have more than doubled in the last month, according to figures compiled by the country’s General Security Service. There were a total of 128 terrorist incidents in March, compared to 61 the previous month and 83 in January. In the Jerusalem area, there were 42 attacks in March compared to 20 in February and in the West Bank there were 36 attacks compared to 23 in February.

The brutal murders of the Fogel family in Itamar and the bus stop bombing in Jerusalem (picture) in March saw the tally of Israeli deaths from terrorism rise to six last month. Attacks increased most significantly in the south of Israel, with terrorists stepping up the barrage of Grad rockets and mortar shells fired across the Gaza border from 18 attacks in February to 50 in March.

Meanwhile, the government’s anti-terrorism unit has urged Israeli tourists holidaying in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to leave immediately, citing fears of kidnap attempts. "Terrorist elements are currently in the Sinai and preparing to abduct Israelis with the aid of people in local Bedouin tribes," said a statement from the unit, which reports to the Prime Minister's Office. It said the groups planned to kidnap Israelis with the aim of exchanging them for prisoners held in Israeli jails.

The Sinai coast of Egypt is a popular destination for Israelis during the Passover holiday, which begins on 18 April.