An Egyptian officer was shot and injured after an encounter with a gang attempting to smuggle undocumented African migrants into Israel through the Egyptian border, state-run news agency MENA said Tuesday.
Ali al-Sayyed, 23, a Central Security Forces officer, was injured near his service territory south of the Rafah border crossing, MENA said.
Sayyed tried to prevent a group of smugglers who were approaching the border from transporting the migrants into Israel, the agency said.
The smugglers started shooting, injuring the soldier in his left arm before fleeing. Sayyed was taken to a hospital for treatment and authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Over the past years, Egyptian border security has foiled numerous attempts by African migrants to illegally enter Israel through the Sinai border.
The immigrants – mainly from Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea – rely on smuggling gangs to help them enter Israel to search for work opportunities. There, they are usually hired to work for low wages.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
