Israeli Army Exchanges Fire With Egyptian Forces at Rafah Crossing, 2 Egyptian Soldiers Killed

i24 News — Israeli soldiers and Egyptian forces exchanged fired at the Rafah crossing on Monday in a rare incident, with at least two Egyptian soldier killed.

Several more Egyptian soldiers were reportedly wounded. No Israeli soldier was wounded in the incident.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it was in contact with Egypt over the shooting, and that an investigation is underway.

“A few hours ago [Monday], a shooting incident occurred on the Egyptian border. The incident is under review and discussions are being held with the Egyptians,” the Israeli military said in a statement.

While Egyptian reports said the Israeli soldiers opened fire, a military source confirmed that Engineering Corps soldiers operating in Rafah came under fire from Egyptian forces before returning fire.

An Egyptian army spokesman said in a statement that the Egyptian armed forces “are conducting an investigation through the relevant authorities regarding an incident of opening fire in the border area in Rafah — which resulted in the death of one of those responsible for border security.”

Israel seized control of the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza side of the border earlier this month as it ramped up its military offensive in the area against the Hamas terror group.

Egypt has expressed concern about Palestinians being displaced from southern Gaza by the Rafah offensive and trying to enter Egypt.

Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1979 and have closely cooperated on security issues around the borders between Gaza, Israel, and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

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