Three Islamists open fire on Artillery Corps troops securing workers building southern border fence, killing one soldier. They detonate bomb before being killed in exchanges of fire.
Initial inquiry reveals they opened fire on security post as several IDF soldiers left to offer water to African infiltrators. According to the inquiry, the Islamists had gathered intelligence and followed the group of 15 African infiltrators. When the infiltrators arrived at the border, several soldiers left their post to offer them water -
Another serious incident on southern border: An Israeli soldier was killed and another was lightly to moderately injured when Islamists in the Sinai Peninsula opened fire on an IDF patrol in the Mount Sagi area, on the Israel-Egypt border, at around noon Friday. Heavy exchanges of fire ensued, during which the terrorists were killed.
An initial military investigation launched into the incident reveals that the Islamists took advantage of the arrival of African infiltrators and the fact that IDF soldiers left their post to offer them water.
Three Islamist militants emerged from behind a cliff, and opened fire on Artillery Corps soldiers securing the border fence construction from just 100 meters (328 feet) away.
The soldier killed in the attack has been identified as Netanel Yahalomi, 20, of the religious community of Nof Ayalon. He was hit on the spot.
According to the inquiry, the Islamists had gathered intelligence and followed the group of 15 African infiltrators. When the infiltrators arrived at the border, several soldiers left their post to offer them water.
The militants then emerged from their hiding spot, approached the four fighters who remained at the post and opened fire, killing Netanel Yahalomi.
The Artillery Corps force fired back at the Islamists, killing one of them. The incident took place on a mountainous area on the Israel-Egypt border, where a fence is being constructed along an area of 17 kilometers (10.5 miles).
A force from the Caracal Battalion, which was busy capturing African infiltrators in the area, was immediately dispatched to the scene of the attack.
The force fired at the two remaining Islamists with a machine gun and hit them. An explosive device on one of the terrorists' body was detonated, injuring another soldier. The soldier, who sustained light to moderate wounds, was rushed to the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.
IDF Spokesperson Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai said that the terrorists had been carrying many weapons on their bodies, including bullets, Kalashnikov rifles and grenades.
"They were on a major killing spree, but were killed within 15 minutes from the moment they fired the first shot," he said.
Mordechai added that the terrorists were dressed in civilian clothes, and praised the force for its determination. He noted that it was unclear which organization the terrorists were affiliated with.
Immediately after the incident, the IDF spokesperson said that a major terror attack within Israeli territory had been thwarted.
Southern Command Chief Tal Russo arrived at the scene of the attack. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Benny Gantz held an evaluation of the situation with senior IDF officers following the attack.
Egyptian intelligence officials said the attackers had crossed the border and that one of the three terrorists blew himself up inside Israel.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4284462,00.html
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4284517,00.html
Photos: Evacuating wounded soldiers (1), Southern Command Chief Tal Russo at scene of attack (2), IDF soldier Netanel killed in action (3), Kalashnikov at the scene which was belong to one of the Islamists (4)
LiveLeak.com - Islamists attack IDF unit on Sinai border- Casulties on both sides
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