One militant was killed and two others were injured in an attack on a checkpoint in Sheikh Zuweid in North Sinai, according to a military spokesman in a Saturday statement. The attack resulted in no casualties amongst military forces. Meanwhile, seven members of a family living in Al-Arish, also in North Sinai, were injured Friday, following the detonation of an explosive device planted near a police officer's house. The injuries include four children. North Sinai militant group "State of Sinai" have been targeting certain areas in the Sinai peninsula notably, Rafah, Sheikh Zuweid and east of Al-Arish. The group has frequently launched attacks on security personnel and alleged "army informers". North Sinai tribes have declared their stance with the Egyptian army and the state against militants, denouncing any tribal member who joins the militant group. Last week, Sinai militants attacked Al-Goura airport south of Rafah. The airport is used by UN peacekeeping forces. No causalities were reported as a result of the attack. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi referred to the involvement of "foreign elements" in the rising insurgency in North Sinai. Accordingly, the 5km along the Egypt-Gaza borders are currently being evacuated to destroy all smuggling tunnels leading in and out of Sinai, to avoid the infiltration of "terrorists and weapons". Palestinian movement Hamas, which controls the Gaza strip, is primarily blamed for North Sinai's militancy by Egyptian media, although Hamas consistently refutes such accusations. The Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and North Sinai has been largely closed, however it was opened Saturday for three days in both directions upon the request of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
