Israeli media flounder in confusion over Egypt border shooting details

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
4 Jun 2023 12:48

A conflict of information about the shooting operation in occupied Palestine's border with Egypt prevails among Israeli media.

IOF vehicles approach the gate near occupied Palestine's border with Egypt, on June 3, 2023 (Reuters)

Israeli media presented new information about the preliminary investigation of the Israeli occupation army regarding the shooting operation that was carried out by an Egyptian policeman at the border with Egypt, in which three Israeli soldiers were killed.

The new details showed that the policeman carried out the operation alone and planned it carefully, as he took with him a rifle, four magazines, and a knife with which he cut the plastic ties on the fence, and thus "infiltrated" into the occupied Palestinian territories, as per Israeli media.

Nonetheless, this is not the only narrative being circulated, as a conflict of information about the operation prevails among Israeli media.

Another report mentioned that the fence was open in advance and that the Egyptian policeman had carefully planned the operation, thus, he was able to easily "infiltrate Israel".

Israeli estimates indicated that the operation took place after 6:00 am, while the bodies of the two soldiers that were killed in the first confrontation with the Egyptian policeman were discovered at around 9:00 am -- five hours after the last contact with them.

The media suggested that the last call with the killed soldiers was at 4:15 am after an alleged drug smuggling attempt was thwarted, which a spokesperson for the Israeli occupation army mentioned.

The Israeli media shed light on the suspicious absence and the late arrival of the platoon commander to the military point where the bodies of the Israeli soldiers were discovered.

Israeli media cited occupation military sources as saying that the shooting is either a revenge operation carried out by drug smuggling gangs or an armed attack, which is another possible scenario provided by the floundering Israeli media.

According to the Israeli Ynet news website, the Israeli investigation, which began on Saturday, focused on whether the Egyptian policeman carried out the operation for personal reasons or due to his affiliation with armed organizations.

IOF chief of staff admits it was "a difficult incident"

In a related context, Israeli media reported that the chief of staff of the Israeli occupation forces, Herzi Halevi, conducted a field investigation of the location of the operation, along with other officials.

Halevi said that the Israeli occupation forces will "thoroughly" probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting operation and "draw the necessary lessons."

Halevi admitted that "this is a difficult incident," during which three of the Israeli occupation forces' "best" soldiers were killed on the border with Egypt.