Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the killing of three Israeli soldiers by an Egyptian security personnel as a "terrorist attack" and called for a comprehensive joint investigation with Egypt. He stated, "The lethal incident at the Egyptian border during the Sabbath is serious and unusual and will be investigated thoroughly. I wish to commend our forces who engaged and eliminated the terrorist. Together with all the people of Israel, I extend condolences to the families of Sergeant Lia Ben Nun, may she rest in peace, Sergeant Major Ohad Dahan, may he rest in peace, and the other fighter whose name has yet to be released, and I wish a swift recovery to the wounded. Our hearts are with..."
Netanyahu added, "Israel has sent a clear message to the Egyptian government, and we expect the joint investigation to be comprehensive and detailed. We will also update operational procedures and methods, and take measures to minimize smuggling operations, to ensure that such tragic terrorist attacks do not recur."
In an interview with the Israeli site "Walla," Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari stated, "We conducted searches in the area from the moment the terrorist incident was announced... A drone was sent, and at a distance of 1.5 kilometers inside Israel, a suspect was identified." He added, "After that, Israeli soldiers exchanged fire with the Egyptian security personnel which resulted in the death of the latter and a third Israeli soldier."
The Chief of Staff, Major General Herzi Halevi, summarized this morning that the operational inquiry following the incident of the infiltrating terrorist at the Egyptian border, in which two fighters and one female soldier were killed, will be presented within a week by the Southern Command leader, Major General Eliezer Toledano, and the commander of Division 80, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen.
Additionally, two Egyptian sources reported today that "a team is examining the scene and the body of the security personnel to understand the circumstances of the incident, and questioning colleagues and relatives of the Egyptian security personnel to determine if he belonged to any political groups or suffered from psychological disorders."
