IDF investigation: Egyptians took part in attack near Eilat Army inquiry shows at least three of the terrorists that perpetrated attack were Egyptians; clips, radio communication show IDF did everything in its power to prevent Egyptian troops from getting hurt Published: 08.24.11, 13:28 / Israel News The IDF did everything in its power to prevent Egyptian troops from getting hurt in last Thursday's multiple terror attacks near Eilat, inquiries conducted by both the IDF and the Egyptian army showed. The IDF also found that at least three of the terrorists were Egyptian citizens. Head of the General Staff's Planning Branch Amir Eshel, who traveled to Cairo early this week to present to Egyptian officials the findings of the IDF's initial investigation, even brought photographic evidence to the fact. The evidence shows that contrary to Egyptian media reports, the IDF's attack helicopters avoided hitting Egyptian military vehicles and troops stationed at the border. Car attacked by the terrorists who wore IDF uniforms (Photo: Defense Ministry) Videos shot from the aircraft show that the troops intentionally diverted fire from the Egyptian all-terrain vehicles and soldiers towards open areas near the border base, from which the terrorist sniper fire originated. The terrorists, who positioned themselves a few dozen meters from the Egyptian military post, launched an RPG rocket at one of the helicopters, and directed machine gun fire at it. In addition, an examination of the bodies of the terrorists killed by the IDF clearly showed that at least three of them were Egyptian citizens. One was a member of a radical Egyptian group who was tried in the country. From left: Maj.-Gen. Rousso, Defense Minister Barak and Chief of Staff Gantz at scene of attack (Photo: Defense Ministry) He escaped from prison during the first days of the Egyptian revolution, when several Cairo prisons were broken into as hundreds of imprisoned Jihadist terrorists escaped to Sinai. Many had also reached the Gaza Strip and Egypt is demanding that Hamas extradite them. The Egyptian terrorists joined Palestinian operatives from the Popular Resistance Committees and together they perpetrated the coordinated attacks. Israel also has further proof that joint Palestinian-Egyptian terror cells were in Sinai for weeks and were assisted by Bedouins in the region. Egyptian ignored terrorists at first Also according to the IDF investigation, the Egyptian troops noticed the presence of the terrorists even before the attack was launched, but did nothing about it. Only later that evening did an officer and a few soldiers leave their post, evidently to stop the ongoing sniper fire. The terrorists, who were wearing uniforms similar to those of the Egyptian army, resisted. Possibly at this moment, when the troops and the operatives merged together, the Egyptian soldiers were shot. It remains unclear who fired the deadly shots, as the soldiers' bodies have yet to be autopsied by the Egyptian authorities. Protesters in front of Israeli embassy in Cairo (Photo: AFP) Israel has photographic evidence that GOC Southern Command Maj.Gen. Tal Russo personally ordered the forces fighting on the ground and in the air to be careful not to hit the Egyptian military post and its soldiers. Israel was aware of these facts last week, but decided against releasing them in order to avoid embarrassing the Egyptian army and to dodge a media dispute over the versions of the events. However, the information was submitted to Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which in turn invited an IDF representative, Maj.-Gen. Eshel, to present the findings in Cairo. Some of the findings were published in an Egyptian newspaper on Wednesday. Avoiding diplomatic crisis The Israeli authorities are aware that the Egyptian interim government is under great pressure to sever diplomatic ties with Israel. One of the primary reasons that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the eight-minister forum decided against ordering an intensive military retaliation against the terrorist movements firing rockets from Gaza on Saturday night was their desire to avoid further damage to the relations with Egypt. It was clear that such an operation can ignite the rage of the Egyptian public and result in further pressure from the Muslim Brotherhood to annul the peace accord with Israel. Netanyahu and Barak, backed by most of the top ministers, decided instead to wait for a window of opportunity that would allow them to eradicate the rocket fire and terror acts from Gaza after the spirits have calmed down. Advertisement Meanwhile, the IDF continued with its new policy of thwarting any operations planned by terror groups in Gaza and Sinai. As part of the strategy, an Islamic Jihad operative was killed in the Rafah region early Wednesday morning. According to intelligence obtained by Israel, the operative was planning an attack that was to be launched from Sinai. Moreover, official sources in Egypt told the daily newspaper Al-Shorouk that the Egyptian army has mapped out the tunnel network connecting the Gaza Strip and Sinai ahead of shutting them down. According to the report, bolstered Egyptian forces secured their side of the border in and around Rafah, and vigorously searched individuals crossing the border
Egypt is run by a military junta allied with the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt is also a one bomb country.
So if the Israelis were being so careful, where did the 5 dead Egyptian policemen come from? Did the Egyptians deliberately shoot some of their own so as to frame the IDF? And what about the firing over the border - did that not occur? "We were trying to avoid hitting Egyptians" isn't really an excuse for opening fire on a foreign country. If the terrorists get back into Egypt it becomes Egypt's problem until you can prove the Egyptian government facilitated the attack (which Israel is NOT saying). The Egyptian army actually carried out a recent sweep of part of the Sinai looking for such individuals shortly before the attack but obviously couldn't track down the extremists - killing some of their own is an odd way to thank them for their assistance.
Just read, its there Saying some terrorists were Egyptian and saying Egypt is behind this are 2 very diffrent things, Israel will never accuse Egypt of attacking it because it values peace, you are very right about the logic attacking allies, just read the article not just the headlines.
It's striking that the OP makes not so much as a mention, let alone crafting any form of apology, as to the brutal reprisal attacks on Palestinians carried out by Israeli criminals. Zionism stinks. Quit pleading with it and prosecute it as racist.
I dont think this belongs here, there is a thread about palestinians breaking the cease fire, It was exactly what the attackers wanted, to flame things up and destroy the cease fire, they got what they wanted and now they are dead. You DO remember yesterday and the day before that when Palestinians shot rockets at us right?
Of course he does, but to him that's acceptable because it's attacking the occupiers of what he sees as "his" land.
Are you the same person who claims that no Palestinians have been evicted and that there have been only two illegal squatter attacks on Palestinian farmers ? You're clearly out of touch and unqualified to comment on resistance responses to the brutality of the IOF filth; http://tinyurl.com/3c6ugxq
Yep, Pal were evicted only not half as dramatic as you made it sound, i said i remember 2 attacks on Trees not that there were 2 attacks, I dont hide, i correct myself if im wrong, im not afraid to discuss anyting or pass judjment on my ppl, i answer every question - I say all these things with pride, you cannot Please answer my question dont hide from it, did the Pal shoot yesterday and the day b4 during the cease fire? then answer why shouldnt the Israelis react?
Amr Moussa: the Camp David Treaty is over Tuesday Aug 23, 2011 - 22:07 By LOAY ALI - Translated by NOURHAN MAGDI http://english.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=343937&SecID=22&IssueID=149 http://english.youm7.com/News.asp?NewsID=343970 http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en/node/489523
If you think we'll letvPal bomb us and take it quitely in fear of Egypt you are very mistaken, in fact we already bombed Gaza today after 2 days of rocket attacks so you can stop this "peace" right away,
Basioni: Egypt will lose if relations with Israel end Sunday Aug 21, 2011 - 10:46 By MAHMOUD REDA - Translated by BISHOY RAMZY REYAD Before cutting off relations with Israel, Egypt should look at the advantages gained from the good relations with Israel, said former Egyptian Ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Basioni. Cutting off relations with Israel would lead to more tension on the borders and could open the door for an endless war, Basioni added during a phone call with Al-Qahera Al-Youm TV program. "I think there was no violation of the Camp David Peace Treaty of 1979 between both countries," Basioni said. He clarified Israel agreed on the formation of an Egyptian-Israeli committee to investigate the events in Sinai recently. He highlighted Israel expressed its apologies for such events. He added Egypt's public opinion contributes to the decision-making process so Egyptians should deal with the situation wisely to achieve Egypt's best interest. Please dont stone or hang him for a few words of reason, i rememebr him on Israeli talk shows - he's a funny and sweet man
There is never a ' ceasefire' with Zionism because Zionists continue their illegal activities on a daily basis. Rockettes from Gaza are reprisal attacks following these illegal Zionist activities. Are you aware of what these illegal activities are ?
War is coming to Israel. It will have three fronts. This will be an existential war. Egypt goes first. Egypt is a one bomb country. One low yield weapon at the base of the Aswan High Dam will unleash a radioactive torrent on eighty million Egyptians from the Dam all the way to the Mediterranean. If Egypt wants war, give them what they want.
Thank you for replying, I know what you consider illegal activities, are you aware that world support will only get you to a certain point from which you still need to deal with us? Do you understand you better deal with rational Israelies than a bloodthirsty bunch who feel contiuesly prosecuted and thretend? forget zionism, whats cooking in Israeli socity could be much worse
Sadly there are no rational Israelis to negotiate with right now-certainly not where it matters, in government.
In some respects I agree. Just about every discussion/deal/suggestion has been scuppered by both sides.
