Egypt was originally uncooperative, hampering Israeli efforts to assist in the rescue efforts, and one police official said that four valuable hours were lost as a result. By this morning, however, the situation had improved, and "we were allowed to bring in whatever forces and teams we wanted to," the official said.
However, an ambulance with two Israeli bodies was not allowed to cross the border into Israel this morning, for unexplained reasons. In addition, it was reported that the bodies of dead Israelis were looted by Egyptians, with their wallets and other personal belongings being taken from them.
Last night, Egypt delayed the arrival of Israeli rescue personnel, despite the fact that the Egyptians were unable to treat the scores of wounded. One eyewitness who arrived at the Israeli border by foot said last night, "People are lying on the ground, bleeding, and the Egyptians are doing nothing - they are not offering medical treatment, and I saw them with my own eyes preventing our ambulances from arriving at the scene."
Even five hours after the attack, Egyptian authorities continued to impede the arrival of rescuers. One eyewitness said that dozens of Israeli medics aboard a bus were prevented from reaching the Taba Hilton, and at one point, they began making their way on foot.
At 2:30 AM, reports of untreated injured Israelis stranded in Egypt continued. Magen David Adom Director-General Avi Zohar, speaking from the scene, said that the free flow of ambulances was still being hampered by the Egyptians. "We are sending the ambulances back and forth to evacuate the injured, but the ambulances are being held up," said Zohar.
IDF helicopters, medical personnel and members of the IDF's Homefront Command's Search and Rescue Unit who arrived shortly after the initial explosion waited at the border for almost an hour after the first explosion. This was due to the fact that Egyptian officials had closed their border with Israel completely, and was opened only after a personal call from Prime Minister Sharon to Egyptian President Mubarak.
It was emphasized this morning, however, that the lack of cooperation was not due to malice on the part of the Egyptians, but rather to their lack of experience and general confusion that reigned. "They are not used to this type of events," some Israeli officials said, and another added, "They are not working at the pace to which we are accustomed, but they're showing good will." The government ministers at today's meeting came away with the distinct impression that the Egyptians were doing their best.
Scores of injured Israelis made their way to the Israeli border by foot to be evacuated to Eilat's Yoseftal hospital. Several Israelis said Egyptian soldiers had fired in the air to stop them from crossing back in to Israel through the Taba terminal.
The Almagor organization for terrorism victims called upon the Israeli government to issue a 5-10 minutes ultimatum to Egypt, after which Israel would cross the border using force. "Do not repeat the mistake of the failure to rescue Madhat Yusuf and the infamous Ras Burka killings," said an Almagor spokesman. Yusuf was an IDF soldier who died at Joseph's Tomb at the beginning of the Oslo War hostilities, when the Israelis entrusted the PA with his evacuation instead of forcefully rescuing him themselves. Seven Israelis were murdered by an Egyptian soldier at Ras Burka in Sinai in 1985.
Following the second attack further south, Israel began negotiating with Egyptian authorities to land a Yas'ur transport chopper in the Egyptian resort town of Nueiba to evacuate the many wounded at that location.
Egyptian public television continued reporting that a gas leak was the cause of the explosion some three hours after the attack, despite eyewitness reports of a bomb. At 1 AM, Egypt announced initial arrests of those suspected to be responsible, and retracted previous claims.
Egyptian government spokesman Magdy Rady told the Associated Press that the attacks were linked to the IDF's counter-terror operation in Gaza. "I think the explosions are very related to what is going on in Gaza," Rady said.
However, an ambulance with two Israeli bodies was not allowed to cross the border into Israel this morning, for unexplained reasons. In addition, it was reported that the bodies of dead Israelis were looted by Egyptians, with their wallets and other personal belongings being taken from them.
Last night, Egypt delayed the arrival of Israeli rescue personnel, despite the fact that the Egyptians were unable to treat the scores of wounded. One eyewitness who arrived at the Israeli border by foot said last night, "People are lying on the ground, bleeding, and the Egyptians are doing nothing - they are not offering medical treatment, and I saw them with my own eyes preventing our ambulances from arriving at the scene."
Even five hours after the attack, Egyptian authorities continued to impede the arrival of rescuers. One eyewitness said that dozens of Israeli medics aboard a bus were prevented from reaching the Taba Hilton, and at one point, they began making their way on foot.
At 2:30 AM, reports of untreated injured Israelis stranded in Egypt continued. Magen David Adom Director-General Avi Zohar, speaking from the scene, said that the free flow of ambulances was still being hampered by the Egyptians. "We are sending the ambulances back and forth to evacuate the injured, but the ambulances are being held up," said Zohar.
IDF helicopters, medical personnel and members of the IDF's Homefront Command's Search and Rescue Unit who arrived shortly after the initial explosion waited at the border for almost an hour after the first explosion. This was due to the fact that Egyptian officials had closed their border with Israel completely, and was opened only after a personal call from Prime Minister Sharon to Egyptian President Mubarak.
It was emphasized this morning, however, that the lack of cooperation was not due to malice on the part of the Egyptians, but rather to their lack of experience and general confusion that reigned. "They are not used to this type of events," some Israeli officials said, and another added, "They are not working at the pace to which we are accustomed, but they're showing good will." The government ministers at today's meeting came away with the distinct impression that the Egyptians were doing their best.
Scores of injured Israelis made their way to the Israeli border by foot to be evacuated to Eilat's Yoseftal hospital. Several Israelis said Egyptian soldiers had fired in the air to stop them from crossing back in to Israel through the Taba terminal.
The Almagor organization for terrorism victims called upon the Israeli government to issue a 5-10 minutes ultimatum to Egypt, after which Israel would cross the border using force. "Do not repeat the mistake of the failure to rescue Madhat Yusuf and the infamous Ras Burka killings," said an Almagor spokesman. Yusuf was an IDF soldier who died at Joseph's Tomb at the beginning of the Oslo War hostilities, when the Israelis entrusted the PA with his evacuation instead of forcefully rescuing him themselves. Seven Israelis were murdered by an Egyptian soldier at Ras Burka in Sinai in 1985.
Following the second attack further south, Israel began negotiating with Egyptian authorities to land a Yas'ur transport chopper in the Egyptian resort town of Nueiba to evacuate the many wounded at that location.
Egyptian public television continued reporting that a gas leak was the cause of the explosion some three hours after the attack, despite eyewitness reports of a bomb. At 1 AM, Egypt announced initial arrests of those suspected to be responsible, and retracted previous claims.
Egyptian government spokesman Magdy Rady told the Associated Press that the attacks were linked to the IDF's counter-terror operation in Gaza. "I think the explosions are very related to what is going on in Gaza," Rady said.