Israeli military forces killed one and injured three individuals trying to cross into Israel from Egypt Thursday night, Israeli news website Ynetnews reported.
The report said the incident took place around 8:30 pm, when an elite force of the Israeli military deployed in the area where the Israeli, Egyptian and Gazan borders meet spotted several individuals approaching the border fence. The troops reportedly called on the men to stop but were ignored, and then initiated arrest protocols followed by several warning shots.
After being met with heavy gunfire, the Israeli soldiers returned fire, Ynetnews added.
A subsequent sweep of the area revealed the body of the dead smuggler and the three wounded. No firearms were found in their possession.
A military medical evacuation helicopter then evacuated the injured to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, southern Israel. No injuries were reported among the Israeli soldiers, the report said.
Border security incidents have increased in recent months as Israel has warned that lawlessness in post-revolution Egypt is allowing militants to use Sinai to stage attacks against the Jewish state. Israel accuses militants based in Gaza of using the long border between Egypt and Israel to infiltrate and carry out attacks, including one last August in which gunmen launched coordinated ambushes on vehicles in southern Israel, killing eight Israelis.
Israel is building a giant steel security barrier along the frontier, which is due to be completed by the end of this year.
