Gaza’s ruling Hamas terror organization — which was spawned by Egypt’s outlawed Muslim Brotherhood — apparently played a role in helping the Sinai terrorists who waged war against Egypt’s security forces Wednesday.
IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Yoav Mordechai issued a statement Thursday saying there is evidence that Hamas was involved in supporting the terrorists who ambushed Egyptian soldiers and police in 15 separate attacks.
As the dawn broke on Thursday, Egyptian security personnel continued the battle, killing 23 radical Islamist fighters just south of the northern Sinai town of Rafah, home to the Gaza border crossing.
Throughout the day soldiers have conducted a house-to-house search in the Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid, hunting for terrorists. They have also been locating and de-mining the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and land mines used by the terrorists to booby-trap the roads in and around the town.
Air strikes continued throughout the afternoon as the army continues to target terrorists in the region.
A stockpile of sophisticated Russian-manufactured weapons are being used by the ISIS-linked terrorists. Egyptian soldiers told media the guerrilla fighters were using Kornet anti-tank missiles as well as mortars, anti-aircraft guns and other guided missiles, according to the el-Watan daily newspaper.
At least 64 Egyptian soldiers and 100 terrorists were killed in Wednesday’s battles, which included a number of suicide bombings and attacks on Egyptian army bases.
In photographs on the front pages of the Egyptian newspapers, the terrorists were wearing combat fatigues. Coverage by many media outlets described the day’s conflicts as an outright “war.”
By Wednesday night, Israel had also decided to increase its military coverage along the border as well.