Egypt foils drug smuggling attempt on Israel border after firefight

Ahram Online , Tuesday 16 Jan 2024

The Egyptian Armed Forces said it successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle 174 kilograms of various types of drugs south of El-Ouga border crossing with Israel after a firefight.

Ouga crossing
Israeli and Egyptian flags are seen at the El-Ouga/Nitzana border crossing along the southern Israeli border with Egypt. File/AFP

 

During the exchange of gunfire, one person was killed, and six smugglers were apprehended, Armed Forces’ Spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez Gharib said in a statement on Tuesday.

The spokesman emphasized the Armed Forces’ full preparedness to preserve the capabilities of the nation.

The Israeli army said that one of its soldiers was slightly injured late Monday in an exchange of fire with narcotics smugglers at the crossing late on Monday, the Times of Israel reported.

Al-Ouga crossing, known in Israel as Nitzana, currently serves as an inspection point for trucks carrying aid destined for Gaza from Egypt.

It is located just under 50 kilometres south of Rafah.

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