Israeli soldiers killed an armed terrorist early Wednesday morning, one of three who were crossing from Egypt, approximately 25 miles northwest of Eilat. The other two fled into Egyptian territory. There were no injuries to the Israeli forces.
After they encountered the terrorists, soldiers found at least one sack containing an explosive device that they were trying to smuggle into Israel. Army sappers neutralized the bomb.
The lengthy border with Egypt is not fenced, and the infiltration of terrorists and drug smugglers, who often work for terrorists, is common. The government has approved a billion-dollar project that would place a barrier along the length of the border to prevent the infiltration of terrorists, smugglers, slave traders and Africans looking for work in Israel.
In April, soldiers spotted a bomb that had been planted so that it would blow up as they patrolled, and last November, the IDF stopped terrorists who were carrying a 30-pound explosive device.
Elsewhere, the IDF forced the retreat of several terrorists from Gaza who were trying to place bombs on patrol routes late Tuesday night. The terrorists retreated, and no one was injured.