Trend: Egypt’s ISIL offshoot attacks southern Israel

The attack took place the day after an unprecedented violence by Islamic State linked extremists in the restive peninsula that undermined government efforts to stem an insurgency in the area a two year crack down.

The closing of the highway, which traverses the Negev Desert toward Israel’s southernmost city, Eilat, comes after Israeli security officials voiced concern that Waliyat Sinai, the ISIS-affiliated terror group responsible for the attacks, may be planning to strike Israel as well. President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi Wednesday vowed to step up the legal battle against Islamist militants.

Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the statement.An Israeli military source earlier said the rockets had been fired from Sinai, which borders Israel, the Gaza Strip and the Suez Canal. Morsi is among those condemned to die, but he has appealed.

Egypt is reeling from a string of deadly attacks by IS on its security forces in the Sinai.

The Brotherhood called for a “rebellion” and described the killings as “a turning point that will have its own repercussions”.

Hamas, an offshoot of Egypt’s banned Muslim Brotherhood, has rejected previous such accusations by Egypt. It said Mordechai’s charges were an attempt to damage its relations with Cairo, and denied any involvement in Egypt. In a graphic on its front page, Al-Watan daily said they also used mortars, anti-aircraft guns and other guided missiles.

The front pages of Egyptian newspapers focused on the attack. The sources said all roads leading to Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid were shut down and residents were staying in their homes.

Medical and security officials said at least 70 people, mostly soldiers, were killed in Wednesday’s attacks and hours of clashes, along with dozens of jihadists. And here we see before our very eyes ISIS operating with unusual brutality on both our northern and southern borders.

Sinai Province claimed the rocket attack on social media on Friday. “We send our condolences to the Egyptian government and the families of those who were killed in battle”, he added.