Friday, September 21, 2012

Israeli army says killed 3 militants on Egypt border


Published today (updated) 21/09/2012 14:33
A labourer works on the border fence between Israel and Egypt near the
Israeli village of Beer Milcha Sept. 6, 2012. (Reuters/Nir Elias)
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli troops killed three militants along the Israel-Egypt border on Friday after an attack was mounted on an Israeli patrol, the army said.

The group had entered Israel through a gap in the border fence when they opened fire on Israeli soldiers, an army spokesman said. The troops returned fire, killing three, and are searching for more suspects, he said.

The identities and nationalities of the militants have not been confirmed, the spokesman said, adding that explosive devices were found on them.

At least two soldiers were wounded, security sources said.

On Aug. 5 militants attacked and killed 16 Egyptian border guards at a post on Sinai's border with Israel.

In June, Israeli troops shot dead two militants who fired on a border crew, and in July killed another man trying to infiltrate the Sinai border.

The open desert border between Israel and Egypt was relatively quiet for three decades after the two countries signed a peace treaty in 1979. But Israel says that since the fall of Mubarak, Cairo has lost its grip on the Sinai.

Israel has been building a fence along the 260 km-long frontier with Egypt's Sinai desert and it is due to be completed by the end of 2012.

Reuters contributed to this report
Maan News Agency

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