Egypt: Police shoot dead two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian guide
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
Egyptian police officers shot dead two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian guide on Sunday, as the war between Israel and Palestinian militants intensified for a second day.
Israel’s National Security Council subsequently said its citizens should consider not traveling abroad, particularly to the Middle East, “in light of the attacks in Egypt.” Visitors who have already been to Egypt should leave the country “as soon as possible,” the newspaper said.
Police officers fired “indiscriminately” with their personal weapons at an Israeli tour group visiting Alexandria, state-run private television channel Extra News reported, citing security sources. A fourth person was injured and the police officer was immediately arrested.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the death in a statement.
“This morning, local residents opened fire on visiting Israeli tourists in Alexandria, Egypt, killing two Israeli nationals and their Egyptian guide,” the newspaper said. “Some Israelis were moderately injured.”
Israel’s National Security Council warned that “there may be increased motivation for terrorist groups and lone actors to attack Israelis abroad.” There are concerns.”
Cairo initially did not comment on the attacks on tourists. The death toll comes as fighting intensifies after Palestinian militants declared war on the Hamas movement on Saturday and launched a multi-pronged offensive against Israel, which launched airstrikes on Gaza.
Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel in 1979 and has long acted as a mediator between Israelis and Palestinians.
Israeli tourists regularly visit Egypt, but despite diplomatic ties, Israel remains not very popular with Egyptians.
In June, three Israeli soldiers were killed in a gunfight on the Egyptian border by members of the Egyptian security forces who crossed the border “in search of drug traffickers,” according to the Egyptian military.
On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi warned of a “vicious cycle of tensions that threatens regional stability and security.”
