Two female IDF soldiers were light-to-moderately injured in a cross-border shooting incident along the Egyptian border. They were transported to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. The situation room was opened in the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council. Authorities are investigating the incident, which may have been a drug smuggling operation that went sour.

Two soldiers were injured by gunfire from Egypt on Wednesday afternoon 28 Tishrei 5775 along the border. They are listed in light-to-moderate condition in Beersheva’s Soroka Medical Center. It is feared that anti-tank rockets were fired at the soldiers. Large numbers of reinforcements were moved into the area.

A senior IDF officer reports that an incident occurred along the border during which gunfire was directed at soldiers. He added it remains unclear at this time if automatic weapons or anti-tank fire was used. There are conflicting reports at this early stage following the incident.

15:08: Reports from Egypt state the Ansar Beit al-Quds terror organization is claiming responsibility for firing anti-tank rockets at IDF soldiers. The terrorist organization is affiliated with al-Qaeda. A female officer and a soldier were injured in the incident. The officer, a company commander, is listed in moderate condition and the soldier is now listed in moderate-to-serious condition.

19:04: IDF sources report the shooting incident earlier Wednesday in which two IDF soldiers were wounded was a drug smuggling incident and not terrorism as some believed was the case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)