Egypt-Israel border
Photo: AP
Armed infiltrator killed at Egyptian border
IDF force spots group of 11 infiltrators trying to cross into Israel, opens fire after group refuses to halt
An IDF force Wednesday morning spotted a group of 11 infiltrators, some carrying arms, trying to cross the border from Egypt into Israel some 40 kilometers north of Eilat.
The force, which was in the area for a routine patrol, noted that some members of the group were armed. After the infiltrators ignored calls to halt, the soldiers opened fire at them.
At least one gunman was killed in the incident, and his body was found on the Egyptian side of the border. Another gunman tossed his weapon and fled with the rest of the group.
Several sacks were found at the scene, and their content was being examined by IDF soldiers.
The IDF is examining whether the incident was an attempt at drug smuggling, or an attempted terror attack.
Wednesday's incident is a rare occurrence on the border, which is used for the smuggling of drugs, goods and even woman.
Due to the difficulties in carrying out terror attacks from the Gaza Strip, attempts to carry out attacks via the Egyptian border have been on the rise. The most recent incident occurred in April 2010, when an IDF force uncovered an explosive device during a routine patrol. The bomb was detonated by sappers.
According to the Shin Bet's annual report, dozens of attempts by terror organizations to carry out attacks along the Israel-Egypt border were foiled in 2009.
