Israel on Saturday condemned the “terrible and despicable terror attack” on a mosque in northern Sinai that left 305 people dead, including 27 children. The attack is the deadliest in Egypt’s modern history.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement: “Israel strenuously condemns the terrible and despicable terror attack carried out on the Mosque near al-Arish and send condolences in the name of all the citizens of Israel to President (Abdel-Fattah) el-Sissi, the Egyptian nation, and the families of the victims”.
The statement added: “Israel sends its wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded. The terror will be defeated faster if all nations work together against it”.
On Saturday, Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin condemned the attack as “pure evil”.
Last Friday, some 30 men armed with automatic rifles and carrying Islamic State black flags arrived in several 4x4s and took up positions outside the mosque during midday prayers.
They detonated a bomb inside the crowded building and then opened fire on worshippers as they attempted to flee. The gunmen also shot at ambulances and set fires to cars to block roads. It is believed the mosque was targeted because Sufis worshipped there.
