In a shocking incident today, an Egyptian policeman opened fire on Israeli tourists at the historic Pompey’s Pillar site in Alexandria. The attack resulted in the unfortunate loss of at least two Israeli lives and one Egyptian, with another individual sustaining injuries.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry released a statement confirming the incident but provided no further details. Israel’s Foreign Ministry identified one injured Israeli with moderate injuries and expressed their cooperation with the Egyptian government to ensure the safe return of Israeli citizens.

The suspected assailant has been detained, according to reports from Extra News television channel, known for its close ties to Egyptian security agencies.

Security forces promptly secured the area, while graphic footage on social media showed the aftermath of the attack, with victims lying on the ground and others seeking assistance.

The incident has sparked a range of reactions on social media, with some expressing support for the attack, while others condemn the tragic loss of civilian lives. Prominent figures like Egyptian writer Ibrahim Issa denounced the attack as a “terrorist crime” and called for its unequivocal condemnation. Amr Magdi, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, emphasized that there can be no justification for intentionally targeting Israeli civilians.

This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region, as Israel grapples with conflicts involving Palestinian militants from Gaza. Egypt, historically a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, was the first Arab country to establish peace with Israel, but anti-Israeli sentiment remains high, particularly during periods of violence in the region.

Credit: AP