TerrorismIsraeli drone strike, in coordination with Egypt, destroys militants’ rockets deployed on Egyptian territory
The growing intelligence cooperation between Egypt and Israel was in evidence earlier today (Friday) when the Israel Air Force (IAF), in coordination with the Egyptian military, used drone strikes to destroy ready-to-launch rockets and rocket launchers on Egyptian territory, killing five Egyptian militants in the process. The rockets were deployed on Thursday in a desert area near the town of Rafah, and were discovered by an Egyptian surveillance fly-over.
The growing intelligence cooperation between Egypt and Israel was in evidence earlier today (Friday) when the Israel Air Force (IAF), in coordination with the Egyptian military, used drone strikes to destroy ready-to-launch rockets and rocket launchers on Egyptian territory, killing five Egyptian militants in the process.
The attack took place on launchers placed near the city of Rafah in north Sinai, three miles west of the Egypt-Israel border.
Ynet reports that an Egyptian army source told the Palestinian news agency Maan that the ready-to-launch rockets were deployed on Thursday in a desert area in the town, and were discovered by an Egyptian surveillance fly-over.
Egyptian reports say the Sinai militant groups have recently acquired various rockets from Iran.
An Israel knowledgeable source refused to confirm or deny the reports, saying only that “We’re aware of the increase Egyptian army activity against terror in Sinai.”
Maan also reported that the Egyptians alerted Israel about the discovery of the anti-aircraft rockets in Sinai, leading Israel to close the Eilat’s airport for two hours on Thursday.
The rockets destroyed on Friday have a range of about 70 kilometers.
Ynet notes that that Egyptian fighter jets routinely circle over Sinai to discover and thwart attempts by militants to launch rockets against targets in Sinai and the Negev.
The Egyptian army has intensified its campaign against militants in the Sinai Peninsula since the ouster of Muhamad Mosrsi. During an operation last month 103 militants were captured and sixty killed in Sinai.
The Egyptian army has also destroyed 102 tunnels on the Sinai-Gaza border and demolished forty fuel silos.
Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said last month that Egypt has deployed additional military forces — including assault helicopters — in Sinai after receiving permission from Israel, in line with the peace treaty between the two countries.
