On July 3, Wilayat al-Sina, a Sinai-based branch of Islamic State (IS), launched three Grad rockets at Israel on the heels of a major attack on an Egyptian military base in the region. Jonathan Spyer argues that this organization poses a serious threat to both countries:
The attacks [on the Egyptian base] demonstrated a level of tactical proficiency and sophistication hitherto not seen in Sinai’s IS affiliate. The jihadists used sophisticated weapons systems, reportedly including Russian-made Kornet anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft missiles. They also deployed suicide bombers as a weapon of war rather than as terrorism, to telling effect, against Egyptian army positions. . . .
The tactical proficiency and the tactics utilized by Wilayat al-Sina . . . suggest that IS fighters have been responsible for instructing the Sinai jihadists in their own way of war in the recent period. . . .
[Furthermore], the launching of missiles at Israel, though not the first incident of this kind, is a reminder that the jihadists hope to draw the Jewish state into the circle of violence.
Read more on Jonathan Spyer: http://jonathanspyer.com/2015/07/11/coming-of-age-in-sinai/