Efforts are underway to gain the release of a 36-year-old Israeli man who unintentionally crossed into Sinai while carrying a handgun, leading to his arrest and an incident involving diplomatic officials.

Saggai Schori, a resident of Moshav Kadaish Barnea near the Egyptian border spends a great deal of his free time riding motorcycles and it appears on Saturday, he was not paying attention as he strayed into Sinai. He was detained by Egyptian border forces and it appears the fact that he was carrying a weapon is complicating his release.

The daily Yisrael HaYom reports that Egyptian officials state that when he was questioned, Saggai indicated he simply was unaware that he crossed the border. IDF officials report the appropriate agencies are addressing the matter.

A significant portion of the border is relatively easy to cross, with Egyptian forces patrolling most of the day. Persons familiar with the area explain that the sand dunes cover many of the border signs.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)