Shooting occurred when Egyptian policeman was chasing alleged drug smugglers at southern border between Egypt and Israel
An Egyptian security personnel and three Israeli soldiers were killed in an exchange of fire while chasing smugglers at the southern border between Egypt and Israel early on Saturday, Egypt’s Army Spokesperson Gharib Abdel Hafez said.
Abdel Hafez stated: “A security forces member, in charge of securing the international border line, breached on Saturday morning the security barrier and opened fire while chasing drug smugglers on the borders, which led to the death of three members of the Israeli forces and the injury of two others. The Egyptian security personnel was also shot dead.”
He added that the authorities opened an investigation into the incident.
On the other side, the Israeli army announced that “This [Saturday] morning, a security incident occurred in the area of the Paran Regional Brigade. Two IDF soldiers, a man and a woman, were killed by live fire adjacent to the border.”
The Israeli forces stressed that the incident was under review and that they conducted searches in the area.
Since Egypt and Israel signed a peace agreement in 1979, the borderline between the two sides has been peaceful. Lately, the occupation has built a large barrier along the border, to keep out illegal migrants and Islamic militants.
Egypt sent “sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured,” according to the Army Spokesperson.
