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Egyptian soldier killed after opening fire on IDF at Gaza border

The exchange of fire took place near the Rafah Crossing to Sinai.

Egyptian soldiers stand guard at the Rafah Border Crossing with the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 19, 2011. Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90.
Egyptian soldiers stand guard at the Rafah Border Crossing with the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 19, 2011. Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90.

The Egyptian military opened fire at Israel Defense Forces troops stationed on the Gaza side of the Rafah border crossing on Monday.

An exchange of fire followed, with one Egyptian soldier killed.

Israel’s Channel 13 reported on a “very unusual incident between the IDF and the Egyptian army in Rafah,” adding that Israel was conducting an initial investigation into the incident.

The IDF confirmed that “A few hours ago, there was a shooting incident on the Egyptian border, which is the subject of an investigation,” adding that “a dialogue is taking place with the Egyptian side.”

Tensions between Israel and Egypt have been high since the IDF took control of the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing on the morning of May 7.

A day earlier, Israel’s War Cabinet decided unanimously to “continue the operation in Rafah to exert military pressure on Hamas in order to promote the release of our hostages and the other goals of the war.”

Egypt has reportedly threatened to suspend its 45-year-old peace treaty with Israel if the IDF further expands its offensive against Hamas, and has lodged formal protests with the US and European governments.

Egypt has rejected an Israeli proposal to work together to reopen the Rafah Border Crossing and manage its operation jointly, two security sources in Cairo told the Reuters press agency earlier his month.

With reporting by JNS.

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