2 Israeli tourists and Egyptian guide shot dead in Egypt ‘by policeman’
- The shooting at the Pompey’s Pillar site in the coastal city of Alexandria came the day after an attack against Israel by Islamist group Hamas
- Despite diplomatic relations, Israel remains largely unpopular among Egyptians, especially during bouts of violence
Two Israeli tourists and their Egyptian guide were shot dead on Sunday in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, the Israeli government said.
A policeman alleged to have carried out the shooting in the Sawari district of Alexandria was in custody, two Egyptian security sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the deaths in a statement.
“This morning during a visit of Israeli tourists in Alexandria, Egypt, a local opened fire at them, murdering two Israeli citizens and their Egyptian guide,” it said. “In addition, there is a wounded Israeli in moderate condition.”
The attack happened at the Pompey’s Pillar historic Roman site in the coastal city.
The policeman fired “at random” at an Israeli tour group using “his personal weapon”, said the Extra News television channel, which has close ties to Egyptian security agencies.