With all the classic al-Qaeda (Group Profile) trademarks, it is hard to believe that some initially thought the Sinai attacks (Terrorist Incident) could have been carried out by Palestinian groups. The scene at the ruined Hilton hotel bore a ghastly semblance to the al-Qaeda bombings in Bali (Terrorist Incident), Mombassa (Terrorist Incident), and Khobar (Terrorist Incident). The simultaneity, mode of deliverance (truck and car bombs), and the size of the attacks seem to bear al-Qaeda?s signature. The location, too, conforms to al-Qaeda targeting preferences. The group has a history of targeting countries that are links between Islamic countries and enemy ones ? Spain is a ?bridge? of sorts between North Africa and Western Europe, just as Turkey is a bridge between the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The literal King Hussein Bridge that allows traffic to flow between Jordan and Israel has been targeted in a thwarted attack in the past. In a more abstract sense, the targeting of western companies follows this model of striking at bridges between the ?community of infidels? and the Islamic umma. The Sinai attacks were no exception. To many Israelis, the Sinai was considered even safer than their home country, a peaceful haven away from the intifada where they could let down their guard. Egyptians and Israelis alike came to the towns to relax. As others have commented in the wake of the attacks, it was perhaps one of the last corners of the earth in which Arabs and Israelis mingled in peace. It was perhaps one of the most appropriate targets for al-Qaeda in the region.

Everyone is now pretty sure al-Qaeda is behind the attacks, but al-Qaeda?s current decentralized nature means that the attribution needs to be more specific than that. Three different groups or cells have claimed responsibility. There has not yet been any actionable developments that allow for the authentication of any one of the claims. Even fellow al-Qaeda affiliate groups are confused about who exactly carried out the attacks.