The preliminary investigation into the Monday predawn shooting of an Egyptian security officer by IDF soldiers indicates the IDF force believed the ‘suspicious image’ along the border was a terrorist. The Egyptian security official was struck in a shoulder area, reported in moderate-to-serious condition.

The incident occurred at about 2:00am, with an IDF border patrol detecting a suspicious image about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Eilat. Realizing the suspicious person was armed, they fired a warning shot in the air and implemented the appropriate protocol, prompting the Egyptian to fire, resulting in return fire from soldiers.

A number of hours later IDF officials learned an Egyptian security officer was wounded, and the appropriate officials made contact with Egyptian liaison officials.

It appears there was a misunderstanding between the IDF reservists and the Egyptian officer. Senior officers from both Israel and Egypt visited the scene as the investigation began.

Tensions along the border have been running high as intelligence sources report al-Qaeda and other terror cells are operating in the area. In addition, it is known that terrorists are working to abduct IDF soldiers.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)