ON TUESDAY the natural gas pipeline passing through Sinai and extending to Israel and Jordan was attacked for the fourth time since the 25 January Revolution. Tuesday's attack is reported to have used the same methods as the previous one. Many Egyptians oppose the export of natural gas to Israel. The culprits behind the previous pipeline bombings were never found. Officials say the latest attack was carried out by at least four assailants. The attackers ordered the guards on duty to leave and then blew up the terminal, starting a huge fire that sent flames shooting into the air, lighting up the night sky. No one claimed responsibility for Tuesday's explosion. Disgruntled Bedouin tribesmen in the area have been blamed for attacking the pipeline in the past. Islamists opposed to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel are also suspected. Gas supplies to Israel and Jordan were cut as a result of the blast. Egypt supplies 40 per cent of Israel's natural gas and up to 80 per cent of Jordan's electricity generating requirements. Late on Tuesday Israel's Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau said the attacks on the pipeline could threaten Egyptian-Israeli relations.
