An Egyptian police office has opened fire at a tourist site, killing two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian.
An Egyptian policeman opened fire on Israeli tourists in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, killing at least two Israelis and one Egyptian, according to Egypt’s Interior Ministry.
“A policeman in Alexandria fired his personal weapon indiscriminately at a group of Israeli tourists […] Two tourists were killed, as well as an Egyptian and the policeman was apprehended”, said Extra News television, quoting “a security source”.
It said the suspected assailant was detained.
Israel’s Zaka rescue service reported two people killed in Alexandria.
Egypt, Israel’s neighbour, became the first Arab country to normalise relations with Israel in 1979.
Many Israeli tourists regularly visit Egypt, particularly the Sinai, which they can access by car. However anti-Israeli sentiment runs high in the country, especially during bouts of violence.
In June, three Israeli soldiers were killed by an “Egyptian policeman” who had “infiltrated” Israel from Egypt before being shot dead, according to an Israeli military spokesman.
According to Cairo at the time, a member of the “security forces pursuing drug traffickers” crossed a border checkpoint. An “exchange of fire ensued, resulting in three deaths on the Israeli side” in addition to the Egyptian.
After the incident, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi spoke by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the authorities in both countries were quick to reaffirm their cooperation.