Two explosions were heard in the Egyptian city of Rafah, on the border with the Gaza Strip in northern Sinai, according to security sources and witnesses. Israel has now ramped up security measures along the border with Egypt and has closed the Nitzana crossing into Sinai and the Kerem Shalom crossing in the far south of the Gaza Strip. A statement from the Italian Foreign Office said Egypt was a pillar of stability in the area and that the escalation of the terrorist threat would not succeed in denting the determination of the people or their government. The Egyptian political parties have also condemned the terrorist attacks. Leader of the centre-left Freedom Party, Salah Hasballah, said the insurrection in Sinai had taken on an extremely serious dimension and has called for counter-terrorism efforts to be stepped up. Leader of the Salafist Al-Nour Party, Younes Makhioun, condemned Wednesday's attack, saying that the "criminal operations in Sinai would not shake the determination of the Egyptian people". A press release issued by the Socialist Popular Alliance Party offered condolences for the members of the security forces who had lost their lives, and said the attacks "demonstrated the terrorists' attempt to destroy the Egyptian state", calling for the criminals to be brought to justice. The National Progressive Unionist (Tagammu) Party said the assaults were shocking, all the more so because they had taken place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In a communique, Tagammu said: "Islam does not accept such acts of violence". (AGI)