At least 6 dead, 25 hurt in terror attacks near Eilat

Special police forces, IDF soldiers kill 7 terrorists involved in attacks; series of bombs go off near IDF patrol along border with Egypt, gunmen fire on bus, private car; IDF soldiers among casualties.

By YAAKOV KATZ
Egged bus attacked 311 R (photo credit: REUTERS/Lior Grundman)
Egged bus attacked 311 R
(photo credit: REUTERS/Lior Grundman)
At least six people were reported dead and at least 25 injured in a three-stage terrorist attack along Israel’s border with Egypt on Thursday, which began when terrorists opened fire at an Egged bus traveling on Road 12 near Eilat.
Several minutes later, a number of bombs went off next to an IDF patrol traveling along the border with Egypt. There were also reports of mortar fire from Egypt into Israel. The terrorists apparently then moved on to another spot and fired an anti-tank missile at another vehicle, injuring a number of passengers.
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Magen David Adom said that terrorists attacked a bus and a private vehicle 20 kilometers north of the site of the first incident. Paramedics said five people there were mortally wounded in that attack.
The casualties were evacuated to Yoseftal Hospital in Eilat. A number of soldiers were among the casualties
IDF soldier target, hit 7 terrorists involved in attacks
IDF soldiers targeted and hit seven terrorists involved in the attacks, according to IDF spokeswoman Avital Leibovich.
“This seems like a coordinated attack,” a senior IDF officer said. There was also speculation that there may have been more than one terror cell coordinating the attacks.
Commander of the IDF’s Edom Division Brig.-Gen. Tamir Yidayi arrived at the scene of the bus attack and set up a command post to coordinate efforts to capture the perpetrators. The IDF suspects that the terrorists infiltrated into Israel after crossing into Egypt possible from the Gaza Strip.
On Sunday, the Egyptian Military launched a massive operation to capture terrorist cells operating in the Sinai.
Due to concern that terrorists had infiltrated into Israel from Egypt, security officers in Israeli communities along the border were ordered to raise the level of alert and to tell residents to remain inside their home.
Authorities set up an emergency telephone number for those affected by the attacks near Eilat: 1255175.
Yaakov Lappin and JPost.com staff contributed to this report