Tensions rise as Egyptian soldier killed in border clash with Israel
On 27 May, there was a shootout between the Israeli and Egyptian armies. As a result of the gunfire, at least one Egyptian soldier was killed. Some sources say as many as four people were killed. Will Egypt respond with an attack on Israel?
On Monday, 27 May, in the morning at the border crossing between Israel and Egypt in Rafah, a shootout occurred. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that shots were fired at their unit. An Egyptian soldier was killed in the exchange of fire.
This happened just a few hours after the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli attack on Rafah. As a result, at least 45 civilians were killed. Israel claims it was an attack on Hamas members - two of whom were killed.
The death of their compatriot was confirmed by the Egyptian Ministry of Defence. The Egyptian Armed Forces issued a brief statement on social media.
The Egyptian Armed Forces is conducting an investigation by the relevant authorities regarding the incident of gunfire in the border area of Rafah, which led to the martyrdom of one of the personnel assigned to the protection duty - stated the Egyptian Armed Forces on Facebook.
Exceptionally tense relations between Israel and Egypt
Meanwhile, Israeli media only confirm that there indeed was an exchange of fire with the Egyptian Armed Forces. They do not provide any details or reports of casualties on the Israeli side.
Let's recall that exceptionally cold relations between Egypt and Israel have lasted for years. In their history, the two countries have fought several wars against each other. However, for 45 years, there has been relative peace between them.
Recently, however, the situation started to change due to the actions of the IDF in the Gaza Strip. Egypt is a staunch ally of Palestine and has condemned the Israeli military campaign and the killing of thousands of civilians trapped in the Gaza Strip. After the shootout, in which the IDF killed an Egyptian soldier, the tension between the two countries has not been this high in almost half a century.
