Report: Islamist militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis behind attack on Egyptian border

Egyptian security force pins blame for attack, which left two Israeli soldiers injured, on Sinai-based Islamist group.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
An Egyptian soldier keeps guard on the border between Egypt and southern Gaza Strip (photo credit: REUTERS)
An Egyptian soldier keeps guard on the border between Egypt and southern Gaza Strip
(photo credit: REUTERS)
An Egyptian security force told the Arab-language news outlet Masrawy that the Islamist militant group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis was behind the cross-border attack on an IDF patrol, which left two Israeli soldiers injured.
The official did not specify what information he was relying on or whether any arrests have been made by Egyptian authorities.
An IDF jeep on a routine security patrol on the border with Egypt came under cross-border fire on Wednesday afternoon.
The IDF confirmed that the wounded are a female Karakal company commander and a male soldier.
They were evacuated to Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba where the hospital announced that the female officer was in moderate condition and the male soldier was in moderate to serious condition.
An Egyptian military official told the Palestinian wire service Ma'an that security forces were informed about the incident from Israel, prompting Egyptian authorities to immediately launch an investigation into the account.
The Sinai peninsula has become a hotbed of jihad activity in recent years, following the toppling of former president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis is linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida and is behind a number of beheading across Egypt in recent months. The global jihadi group also maintains strong links with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, partnering with groups such as the Popular Resistance Committees.
Reuters contributed to this report.