Jordan’s State Security Court sentenced six people to life in jail on April 2 for their role in a truck-bombing plot.

In a 128-page decision issued on Wednesday, the tribunal sentenced Kataeb Al Tawheed leader Azmi Al Jayousi and five other terrorists to life for “conspiracy to commit terrorist acts” and the “illegal possession of explosives and automatic weapons” as part of a foiled terror plot in 2005.

Kataeb Al Tawheed, which is linked to al-Qaeda, is just one of many jihadist groups operating close to Israel’s border. In several instances the organizations have launched attacks on the Jewish state.

Speaking at a TIP news conference in 2013, Israeli Brig. Gen. (ret.) Amnon Sofrin warned that the jihadists are gradually getting ever closer to Israel.

To the north Israel faces threats from the Nusra Front and various other groups both in Syria and Lebanon. Additionally, the terrorists use the cover of the influx of refugees fleeing Syria to Lebanon and Jordan through their porous borders.

In addition to roadside bombings and rocket attacks from Lebanese and Syrian territory, Israel is facing a similar threat on its southern border with Egypt.

Organizations such as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claim responsibility for the occasional rocket attacks on Eilat and the recent bus bombing just across the border in the Sinai Peninsula.

Domestically too, Israel faces the threat from al-Qaeda cells in the West Bank and also fears potential jihadi-influenced attacks from rogue Israeli Arabs. Earlier this year, Israeli security officials arrested three al-Qaeda-linked Palestinians, who were planning an attack against the American Embassy in Tel Aviv.

[Photo: Israel Defense Forces / flickr]