Multiple terror attacks in Eilat and the south

Bus attacked in south

Very serious news from the south. Updates will follow.

Terrorists launched a multifocal terror attack on Israel’s south on Thursday, injuring over a dozen people.

In the first incident, Egged bus number 392, traveling from Beersheba to the southern resort city of Eilat was ambushed. Eleven people were wounded in the attack, which took place on Highway 12, about 30km north of Eilat, near the Ein Netafim junction.

Security forces, as well as Magen David Adom emergency services’ teams, were immediately dispatched to the scene. The injured were triaged on site and rushed to the Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat.

Soon after that a second incident was reported involving yet another shooting on a bus and a private vehicle traveling south. Five people reportedly suffered mortal wounds in the attack.

A third incident was reported at around 1pm, involving multiple roadside bombs and rocket fire at IDF forces patrolling the Israel Egypt border fence.

A fourth incident ensued, in which security forces engaged terrorists in combat.

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, soldiers were among the wounded in these incidents.

All of the roads leading to Eilat have been closed. Security forces are currently canvassing the area in search of suspects. IDF aircrafts are assisting in the search, as well as extensive Counter-Terror Unit forces.

Heavy security forces presence is noted in the area. The Eilat Police have ordered an emergency deployment in the area, and a situation room has been set up at the Yoseftal Hospital, which has declared a mass casualty event.

Defense establishment sources said that the fire originated from the Egyptian side of the border. Egyptian security forces have been alerted and are reportedly conducting a simultaneous manhunt.

The Ovda Airfield has been closed to all flights. Eilat’s airport has been placed on alert.

Bus shot up in south

Slightly different report from Arutz 7:

A second Israeli bus was targeted early Thursday afternoon by unidentified terrorists in a missile strike that scored a direct hit on the road to Eilat less than an hour after a terrorist cell ambushed a bus on Route 12 to the Red Sea resort city, aiming automatic gunfire at the vehicle and wounding seven passengers.

Numerous passengers were allegedly killed in the second attack, which effectively destroyed the Egged bus, sources said — but it is important to note that the report is unconfirmed at this point.

Security sources said the bus appeared to have been hit by an anti-tank missile, apparently from the Egyptian side of the border, in the Sinai Peninsula. In addition, a military vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb near the security fence along the southern border, sources said.

IDF soldiers who were passengers and police who raced to the scene reportedly engaged in a firefight with the three terrorists who had attacked the first bus about 30 kilometers, some 12 miles northwest of Eilat.