Israel Matzav

Terror on the Egyptian border

Terrorists attacked an Egyptian military, killing 15 Egyptian soldiers and wounding many others. The terrorists then stole two armored vehicles and attempted to infiltrate into Israel. One of the vehicles exploded at the Kerem Shalom crossing point, while the other was targeted by the IAF. At least three terrorists were killed.

Al Arabiya reported that 15 Egyptian soldiers were killed in the attack on their base and several more were wounded.

The attack began at around 8 PM, likely in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike earlier in the day against a global jihad terror cell which the IDF said was in the final stages of launching an attack against Israel along the Egyptian border. One terrorist was killed in the strike and another was seriously injured.

The IDF ordered residents of communities in the Eshkol Region to remain inside their homes and shut down Road 232, which runs along the border.

Palestinians reported that the IDF was firing tank shells into southern Gaza, likely part of an effort to suppress the mortar fire. In addition, the Israel Air Force struck back at targets in southern Gaza.

IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai told reporters that the IDF was still searching the area to rule out the possibility that additional terrorists remained in Israel. Mordechai said that the IDF has ruled out the possibility that a soldier was kidnapped although it was possible that the attack was aimed at abducting a soldier. The IDF spokesman later said in an interview with Army Radio that at least three terrorists were killed during the infiltration attempt.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Sunday night that the incident put renewed emphasis on the need for Egypt to impose security and prevent terror in Sinai. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy called an urgent meeting of Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to discuss the attack.

Why do these meetings not inspire confidence? Why is it that during Mubarak's entire reign, there were no Egyptian troops in Sinai and there were no border attacks involving Egypt? What has happened since?

Labels: Egypt, Palestinian terrorism, Sinai

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:40 PM