IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz said Wednesday that the terror attack on the Israel-Egypt border “reminded us once again of the dangers inherent in instability in the Middle East.”

“This attempt, like the ones before it, was quickly foiled by the IDF with the aid of precise intelligence and a ready and trained operational force,” he said in a speech at the Command and Staff College.

“The terror organizations continue to strive to hurt Israel’s citizens and its sovereignty,” he continued. “Therefore, the IDF must be prepared, ready and powerful, and continue to give an operational response to every scenario on every front.”

Israeli intelligence had forewarned soldiers of Sunday night’s terrorist attack. “We were not surprised,” said IDF spokesman Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai. Israel’s knowledge of an imminent attack was signaled last week when the Counterterrorist Bureau issued an urgent warning, in addition to previous ones, for Israeli tourists to return immediately from the Sinai Peninsula.