St John Climacus, a seventh century monk, was the abbot at St Catherine's. It is situated at the alleged site of the burning bush in which God encountered Moses and gave the Ten Commandments.
It is the oldest existing monastery in the Christian world, going back to the earliest days of the faith. No doubt the Evil One would, love to see it shuttered and its monks dispersed or killed.
The timing of this attack just "happens" to come during the week of Orthodox Great Lent which began (March 30) with the Sunday of St. John Climacus.
His "Ladder of Divine Ascents" is a spiritual classic, good Lenten reading for all Christians.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/The_Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent