Killer of three Israeli soldiers was Egyptian border police officer, says army
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Loading... - Celestial Perlah
- 06 Jun 2023
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An individual belonging to the Egyptian border police has been identified by the Israeli military as the man responsible for fatally shooting three Israeli soldiers in a rare incident on the Sinai border with Egypt.
According to the Israeli army, two combat soldiers from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were killed early on Saturday morning at a military post near Mount Harif in the Negev desert. The bodies of the soldiers were discovered a few hours later, which triggered a manhunt resulting in the death of a third soldier and the assailant. Additionally, a fourth Israeli soldier sustained minor injuries during the exchange of gunfire.
On Sunday, the IDF released a statement identifying the attacker as an Egyptian police officer who was found "in Israeli territory" and subsequently killed by Israeli troops. The statement mentioned an ongoing investigation being conducted "in full cooperation with the Egyptian army."
Israeli media outlets reported that the unidentified assailant entered Israeli territory through an emergency crossing in the border fence, specifically designed for IDF access to the restive Sinai Peninsula. The area is known for smuggling rings involved in trafficking arms, drugs, and terrorist organizations like the Islamic State.
Israel has dismissed Egypt's assertion that a member of their security forces was pursuing drug smugglers who crossed the security fence, leading to an "exchange of fire."
The IDF confirmed that they seized drugs and contraband goods worth 1.5 million shekels (£320,000) on the border at around 2 am local time on Saturday. However, no direct connection has been established between that operation and the subsequent attack.
The funerals for Sgt Lia Ben-Nun (19), Staff Sgt Ori Yitzhak Iluz (19), and Staff Sgt Ohad Dahan (20) took place on Sunday afternoon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the killings as a terrorist attack and conveyed a clear message to the Egyptian government. He emphasized the expectation for a comprehensive joint investigation in his televised remarks. Netanyahu also stated the need to review procedures, operational methods, and measures to minimize smuggling and prevent similar tragic terrorist attacks in the future.
Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, discussed the incident with his Egyptian counterpart, Mohammed Zaki, as confirmed by both ministries.
Egypt was the first Arab country to establish peace with Israel following the Camp David Accords of 1978. While the two nations closely collaborate on security matters, particularly concerning the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian public generally opposes normalization.
In 2013, Israel constructed a security fence along the 140-mile Sinai border to counteract the surge in attacks from militant groups operating in the vast desert of the peninsula, as well as to regulate the flow of migrants and refugees from countries like Sudan.
