'Eilat bus ambush unlikely to have come from Egypt'

After attacks, Egyptian security sources say patrols on Egyptian-Israeli border had not picked up on "suspicious movements" on Egyptian side.

By REUTERS, JPOST.COM STAFF, YAAKOV KATZ
Egyptian soldier sinai 311 R (photo credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Egyptian soldier sinai 311 R
(photo credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Egyptian security sources said on Thursday that a bus ambush north of Eilat was unlikely to have come from Egyptian territory.
Security patrols on the Egyptian-Israeli border had not picked up on "suspicious movements" on the Egyptian side, a source said, adding that security had been heightened on the border after news of the attack.
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The comments came after a three-stage terrorist attack along Israel’s border with Egypt took place late Thursday morning, when terrorists opened fire at an Egged bus traveling on Road 12 near Eilat.
Close to 10 passengers were wounded, including several in serious and moderate condition, and were evacuated to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. A number of soldiers were among the casualties.
Several minutes later, a number of bombs went off next to an IDF patrol traveling along the border with Egypt. There were also reports of mortar fire from Egypt into Israel. The terrorists apparently then moved on to another spot and fired an anti-tank missile at another vehicle, injuring a number of passengers.
Egyptian security sources said on Tuesday that an army crackdown on armed groups in the northern Sinai had netted four Islamist terrorists as they prepared to blow up a gas pipeline.