AL-ARISH: Israeli troops on Friday shot and wounded an illegal African migrant as he infiltrated the border with Egypt, an Egyptian security official said.
“We heard gunshots from the Israeli side of the frontier between Israel and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“It seems that an African migrant was hit by gunfire after he crossed to Israel from central Sinai, the official said, adding that the unidentified victim was among a group of migrants trying to enter Israel illegally.
The porous 250 km Egypt-Israel border has become a major transit route for migrants, asylum-seekers and drug smugglers.
In February, Israel decided to build a security barrier along the border to stem the flow of migrants as well as infiltration by Palestinians planning attacks on its territory.
Dozens of migrants, mainly Africans, have been arrested in recent months as Egyptian police try to halt the constant stream into Israel of those seeking work in the Jewish state.
At least 17 people have been shot dead by Egyptian police on the border this year.
Earlier this month, Israel set up a special body charged with tackling illegal immigration, mostly of Africans seeking a better life. -AFP
