A missile hit an Egyptian Red Sea city on the border with Israel

CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Oct 27 (Reuters) – A missile fired as part of fighting between Hamas militants and Israel hit an Egyptian resort town 220 km (135 miles) from the Gaza Strip early on Friday, Egypt’s Al Qahera news agency reported, citing sources. .

The missile hit a medical facility in Taba, injuring at least six people, Al Qahera TV reported. A witness in Thaba confirmed hearing an explosion and billowing smoke, but Reuters could not immediately identify the source of the blast.

Taba crosses Egypt’s border with Israel’s Red Sea port of Eilat. Israel’s military said it was aware of a security incident outside its territory.

The Israeli military said Hamas launched a missile attack targeting Eilat on Wednesday. Oct. The incident appeared to be the longest-range Palestinian attack since the 7-year Gaza war.

No immediate claim was made after the blast Friday morning.

The Taba explosion highlights the danger Egypt and other countries in the region face as fighting between Israel and Hamas escalates.

Egypt has played an active role in negotiating access to aid for the Palestinians, trying to free hostages held by Hamas and advocating for a ceasefire.

But its proximity to the front line has exposed risks. On October 22, several Egyptian border guards were injured when they were accidentally hit by shrapnel from an Israeli tank. Israel apologized for the incident.

Friday’s missile strike hit the Taba ambulance facility and a residential building for the administration of Taba Hospital, Al-Qahera reported.

Taba in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula is popular among tourists. It is about a three-hour drive from Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.

The U.S. military, which is on high alert for activity by pro-Iran groups amid rising regional tensions, said last week a Navy warship intercepted missiles fired at Israel by Yemen’s youth group in the northern Red Sea.

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