Two masked terrorists opened fire Thursday morning at the Three Pyramids Hotel in Cairo, located near the Giza pyramids.
At least two Israeli tourists were among the group that was attacked as it was boarding a tour bus. Israel Foreign Ministry officials are still trying to reach the Israeli nationals, according to local reports, but no one was injured.
Some damage was caused to the facade of the hotel and at least one window of the bus was shattered, according to reports by Reuters, Associated Press and other international news agencies.
Security personnel have arrested the terrorists. One was captured by local police at the scene; the second was chased down and captured.
Thursday is a day of joy for Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Christian community, who are celebrating Christmas today.
The Egyptian government has been battling terrorist elements based in the northern Sinai Peninsula for months, many of whom are linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. The attacks have escalated since former President Mohammed Morsi was ousted from office in 2013. Morsi was backed by the Muslim Brotherhood.
Some of the Sinai terror elements have pledged allegiance to Da’esh (ISIS), forming the “Sinai Province.” The group claimed responsibility for last year’s downing of a Russian airliner, killing all 224 people on board.
