Fatal Shooting at Rafah Border: Israel and Egypt Launch Joint Investigation

A member of Egypt’s security forces died in a shooting incident near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. An investigation is ongoing, with Israel’s military looking into reports of an exchange of fire between Israeli and Egyptian soldiers. Israel had taken control of the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza side earlier this month, sparking criticism from Egypt.

Egypt is concerned that Palestinians in southern Gaza may be displaced by the military action and has accused Israel of delaying humanitarian aid shipments to the region.

The two nations signed a peace treaty in 1979 and have closely cooperated on security matters along the borders of Israel, Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and the Gaza Strip. In October 2023, Israel accidentally struck an Egyptian position near the Gaza border, resulting in minor injuries to several Egyptian border guards.