This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19673732
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Israel soldiers kill militants in Egypt border clash | Israel soldiers kill militants in Egypt border clash |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least two Israeli soldiers have been injured in a clash with armed militants on the Israel-Egypt border, Israeli medics have told the BBC. | At least two Israeli soldiers have been injured in a clash with armed militants on the Israel-Egypt border, Israeli medics have told the BBC. |
| The Israeli military confirmed its troops had intercepted and killed three armed assailants near Mount Arif. | The Israeli military confirmed its troops had intercepted and killed three armed assailants near Mount Arif. |
| They were guarding a site where work is continuing on a new security fence. | They were guarding a site where work is continuing on a new security fence. |
| The violence comes amid a crackdown on Islamist militants operating in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, launched after an attack left 16 Egyptian soldiers dead. | The violence comes amid a crackdown on Islamist militants operating in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, launched after an attack left 16 Egyptian soldiers dead. |
| The militants later crossed the border with Israel in an apparent attempt to carry out another attack. However, they were killed in Israeli air strikes. | The militants later crossed the border with Israel in an apparent attempt to carry out another attack. However, they were killed in Israeli air strikes. |
| In June, militants fired an anti-tank missile at a vehicle convoy carrying construction workers helping to build the new border fence. One Israeli construction worker and two of the attackers were killed. | In June, militants fired an anti-tank missile at a vehicle convoy carrying construction workers helping to build the new border fence. One Israeli construction worker and two of the attackers were killed. |
| Explosive belts | Explosive belts |
| Israel Defence Forces spokeswoman Lt Col Avital Leibovich said the militants who crossed the border from the Sinai peninsula on Friday were heavily armed and equipped with bullet-proof vests and explosive belts. | Israel Defence Forces spokeswoman Lt Col Avital Leibovich said the militants who crossed the border from the Sinai peninsula on Friday were heavily armed and equipped with bullet-proof vests and explosive belts. |
| The attack took place near Mount Arif, which is nearly half-way down Israel's 240km (150-mile) southern border, at a point where work is under way to complete the new security fence. | The attack took place near Mount Arif, which is nearly half-way down Israel's 240km (150-mile) southern border, at a point where work is under way to complete the new security fence. |
| "[The militants] opened fire towards IDF troops that were guarding the workers in that area. Another force that was nearby... rushed to the area and targeted those three terrorists," Lt Col Leibovich told reporters. | "[The militants] opened fire towards IDF troops that were guarding the workers in that area. Another force that was nearby... rushed to the area and targeted those three terrorists," Lt Col Leibovich told reporters. |
| "A very big terror attack was thwarted by the quick response of these soldiers," she added. | "A very big terror attack was thwarted by the quick response of these soldiers," she added. |
| Egyptian security sources said one of the militants died when his explosive belt was detonated, while the other two were shot dead by the Israeli soldiers. The nationalities of the assailants were not immediately clear, they added. | |
| Defense officials said work on the border fence in the Mount Arif area was due to conclude in early November. Construction had been delayed because it was difficult in a remote, mountainous region, they added. |