Two Israeli soldiers were wounded Wednesday when alleged drug smugglers fired shots and an anti-tank missile from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula at their vehicle patrolling the border, the army said.
Troops responded to the attack, near the border community of Ezuz about 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of the Gaza Strip, killing three of the assailants.
"About 2:00 pm (1100 GMT), we had shots and an anti-tank missile fired at a vehicle that was on the border," said army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner.
Two soldiers on patrol suffered light-to-medium injuries, he said.
They were a female officer and a male soldier from the predominantly female Caracal battalion responsible for defending the border.
Lerner later tweeted that an investigation had shown the attack was a "violent drug smuggling attempt, foiled by Caracal Company Commander."
An army statement said "the shots came from three different positions, including a car that drove along the border, and the military responded, killing at least three of the attackers."
Egyptian security officials confirmed gunmen had opened fire on the Israeli patrol, saying they believed the assailants had earlier clashed with Egyptian soldiers.
The Sinai Peninsula has seen a significant increase in attacks by militants targeting Egyptian security forces and the Israeli border after the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July last year.
GMT 10:37 2018 Monday ,19 November
Five killed, 12 injured in traffic accident in Egypt's AswanGMT 16:41 2018 Wednesday ,03 October
Security forces kill 15 militants in Sinai "Egypt"GMT 09:22 2017 Sunday ,31 December
7arrested in Egypt after raising rainbow flag at concertGMT 09:16 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Egyptian forces open fire, move in to clear Cairo protestsGMT 00:29 2017 Sunday ,10 December
Egypt's Sisi orders army to restore Sinai security in 3 monthsGMT 03:41 2017 Saturday ,09 December
Egypt discovers 27 statues of ancient lioness goddess in LuxorGMT 02:24 2017 Saturday ,09 December
Egypt is committed to supporting Palestinian people and its just causeGMT 03:32 2017 Tuesday ,05 December
Sisi vows forceful response after mosque massacreMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor