On Monday, May 27, 2024, Israeli and Egyptian forces exchanged gunfire near the Rafah border crossing in the Gaza Strip. The clash resulted in the death of an Egyptian soldier and no reported injuries on the Israeli side. According to various sources, including IDF Telegram channel and Al Arabiya news outlets, border guards opened fire on Israeli soldiers who responded with their own gunfire.
The incident came after Israel launched strikes on Rafah city in Gaza the previous day, which reportedly killed two senior Hamas figures. The attack resulted in the death of at least 45 people and raised tensions between Israel and Egypt.
Despite international calls for a ceasefire, including from French President Emmanuel Macron, Israel continued its military operations in Rafah. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague had previously ordered Israel to halt its military operation in Rafah and release Israeli hostages being held captive in Gaza.
The IDF confirmed that it struck a Hamas compound in Rafah, eliminating Yassin Rabia, the commander of Hamas' leadership in Judea and Samaria, and Khaled Nagar, a senior official in Hamas' Judea and Samaria wing. The Israeli military also reportedly targeted other militant targets throughout Gaza.
The exchange of fire between Egyptian and Israeli forces marked a rare escalation of tensions between the two countries. Egypt has traditionally maintained a neutral stance towards the Israel-Palestinian conflict, but has taken measures to secure its border with Gaza in recent years due to increasing militant activity.
The incident also comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and various Arab countries over Israeli actions in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing to exchange accusations and military actions.